US6165306A - Process and apparatus for cutting of discrete components of a multi-component workpiece and depositing them with registration on a moving web of material - Google Patents

Process and apparatus for cutting of discrete components of a multi-component workpiece and depositing them with registration on a moving web of material Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US6165306A
US6165306A US09/088,354 US8835498A US6165306A US 6165306 A US6165306 A US 6165306A US 8835498 A US8835498 A US 8835498A US 6165306 A US6165306 A US 6165306A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
speed
component
workpiece
web
discrete
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US09/088,354
Inventor
Gregory John Rajala
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
Original Assignee
Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc filed Critical Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
Priority to US09/088,354 priority Critical patent/US6165306A/en
Assigned to KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC. reassignment KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: RAJALA, GREGORY J.
Priority to EP99925785A priority patent/EP1102716B1/en
Priority to DE69916850T priority patent/DE69916850T2/en
Priority to JP2000552026A priority patent/JP4243429B2/en
Priority to KR10-2000-7013514A priority patent/KR100522990B1/en
Priority to PCT/US1999/011437 priority patent/WO1999062801A2/en
Priority to CA002330679A priority patent/CA2330679C/en
Priority to AU42003/99A priority patent/AU4200399A/en
Priority to CO99033612A priority patent/CO4880806A1/en
Priority to ARP990102592A priority patent/AR018433A1/en
Priority to US09/669,914 priority patent/US6520236B1/en
Priority to US09/669,915 priority patent/US6527902B1/en
Publication of US6165306A publication Critical patent/US6165306A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Assigned to KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC. reassignment KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC. NAME CHANGE Assignors: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32BLAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B37/00Methods or apparatus for laminating, e.g. by curing or by ultrasonic bonding
    • B32B37/14Methods or apparatus for laminating, e.g. by curing or by ultrasonic bonding characterised by the properties of the layers
    • B32B37/16Methods or apparatus for laminating, e.g. by curing or by ultrasonic bonding characterised by the properties of the layers with all layers existing as coherent layers before laminating
    • B32B37/22Methods or apparatus for laminating, e.g. by curing or by ultrasonic bonding characterised by the properties of the layers with all layers existing as coherent layers before laminating involving the assembly of both discrete and continuous layers
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65HHANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H9/00Registering, e.g. orientating, articles; Devices therefor
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61FFILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/15577Apparatus or processes for manufacturing
    • A61F13/15764Transferring, feeding or handling devices; Drives
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61FFILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/15577Apparatus or processes for manufacturing
    • A61F13/15772Control
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65HHANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H39/00Associating, collating, or gathering articles or webs
    • B65H39/14Associating sheets with webs
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32BLAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2309/00Parameters for the laminating or treatment process; Apparatus details
    • B32B2309/14Velocity, e.g. feed speeds
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T156/00Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
    • Y10T156/10Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
    • Y10T156/1052Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor with cutting, punching, tearing or severing
    • Y10T156/1062Prior to assembly
    • Y10T156/1074Separate cutting of separate sheets or webs
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T156/00Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
    • Y10T156/10Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
    • Y10T156/1052Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor with cutting, punching, tearing or severing
    • Y10T156/1062Prior to assembly
    • Y10T156/1075Prior to assembly of plural laminae from single stock and assembling to each other or to additional lamina
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T156/00Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
    • Y10T156/10Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
    • Y10T156/1052Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor with cutting, punching, tearing or severing
    • Y10T156/1062Prior to assembly
    • Y10T156/1075Prior to assembly of plural laminae from single stock and assembling to each other or to additional lamina
    • Y10T156/1077Applying plural cut laminae to single face of additional lamina
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T156/00Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
    • Y10T156/10Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
    • Y10T156/1089Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor of discrete laminae to single face of additional lamina
    • Y10T156/1092All laminae planar and face to face
    • Y10T156/1097Lamina is running length web
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T156/00Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
    • Y10T156/10Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
    • Y10T156/1089Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor of discrete laminae to single face of additional lamina
    • Y10T156/1092All laminae planar and face to face
    • Y10T156/1097Lamina is running length web
    • Y10T156/1098Feeding of discrete laminae from separate sources
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T156/00Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
    • Y10T156/12Surface bonding means and/or assembly means with cutting, punching, piercing, severing or tearing
    • Y10T156/125Plural severing means each acting on a different work piece
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T156/00Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
    • Y10T156/12Surface bonding means and/or assembly means with cutting, punching, piercing, severing or tearing
    • Y10T156/13Severing followed by associating with part from same source
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T156/00Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
    • Y10T156/12Surface bonding means and/or assembly means with cutting, punching, piercing, severing or tearing
    • Y10T156/1317Means feeding plural workpieces to be joined
    • Y10T156/1322Severing before bonding or assembling of parts
    • Y10T156/1326Severing means or member secured thereto also bonds
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T156/00Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
    • Y10T156/12Surface bonding means and/or assembly means with cutting, punching, piercing, severing or tearing
    • Y10T156/1317Means feeding plural workpieces to be joined
    • Y10T156/1322Severing before bonding or assembling of parts
    • Y10T156/133Delivering cut part to indefinite or running length web
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T156/00Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
    • Y10T156/12Surface bonding means and/or assembly means with cutting, punching, piercing, severing or tearing
    • Y10T156/1317Means feeding plural workpieces to be joined
    • Y10T156/1322Severing before bonding or assembling of parts
    • Y10T156/133Delivering cut part to indefinite or running length web
    • Y10T156/1335Cutter also delivers cut piece
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T156/00Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
    • Y10T156/12Surface bonding means and/or assembly means with cutting, punching, piercing, severing or tearing
    • Y10T156/1317Means feeding plural workpieces to be joined
    • Y10T156/1343Cutting indefinite length web after assembly with discrete article
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T156/00Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
    • Y10T156/17Surface bonding means and/or assemblymeans with work feeding or handling means
    • Y10T156/1702For plural parts or plural areas of single part
    • Y10T156/1712Indefinite or running length work
    • Y10T156/1734Means bringing articles into association with web
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T156/00Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
    • Y10T156/17Surface bonding means and/or assemblymeans with work feeding or handling means
    • Y10T156/1702For plural parts or plural areas of single part
    • Y10T156/1744Means bringing discrete articles into assembled relationship
    • Y10T156/1751At least three articles
    • Y10T156/1754At least two applied side by side to common base

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for receiving discrete parts of a workpiece traveling at different speeds relative to one another and applying the parts to a moving web of material. More particularly, the invention concerns a method and apparatus for receiving discrete parts from at least two webs of moving material moving at different speeds and depositing the discrete parts with controllable registration on a third continuously moving web of material.
  • Articles such as infant diapers, adult continence diapers, feminine napkins and the like have been manufactured generally by processes where discrete parts or components of the article are deposited on a continuously moving product web. Often, the speed with which the parts or components are produced and fed into the process is not the same as the speed of advance of the product web itself. In such cases, the speed of production and/or deposition of the component parts on the moving web must be varied to match the speed of the product web to properly match the parts to the moving web without adversely affecting the process or finished article.
  • rollers segmented into sections which are inwardly and outwardly moveable in a direction radial to their direction of rotation.
  • the segments are driven by cam actuating or gearing means to move inwardly and outwardly changing the linear surface speed of the roller segments as the roller rotates through each revolution.
  • Another method utilizes festoons to reduce the speed of the moving web to which the parts or components are to be applied.
  • the continuously moving web is temporarily slowed to the speed of the component parts to be deposited, with the excess portion of the continuously moving web gathering in festoons. While the continuously moving web is slowed to match the speed of the component parts, the parts are transferred to the web and the speed of the web is then accelerated to gather the festoons prior to the next cycle.
  • Another method is the so-called "slip gap” method in which the parts or components are cut from a web of material moving at a slower speed than the product web. As the component parts are cut from the first web of material, they are held to either the anvil roller or the cutter roller by means of vacuum. As the pieces pass tangentially to the continuously moving product web which is moving at a different speed, the parts or components slip temporarily until they are vacuum transferred to the continuously moving product web.
  • the present invention provides a process for manufacturing a multi-component workpiece comprising at least two components cut from moving webs of material, registering the components with respect to one another, and depositing the registered components with on a web of moving material.
  • the process comprises the steps of a) cutting the first discrete workpiece components from a web of first material moving at first web speed, b) cutting the second discrete workpiece components from a web of second material moving at a second web speed, c) mating the first and second discrete workpiece components and registering them with respect to one another, and d) depositing the mated first and second workpiece components with registration on a third web of material moving at a third constant speed.
  • the invention provides a machine for cutting first and second discrete workpiece components, respectively, from first and second webs of material running at different constant web speeds, the first and second workpiece components being optionally of different lengths, registering them with respect to one another, and depositing them with registration on a third web of material moving at a third constant web speed.
  • the machine comprises a first apparatus for cutting discrete components from a web of material moving at a first web speed, and a second apparatus for cutting discrete components of a second material from a web of second material moving at a second web speed.
  • Speed matching apparatus comprises a first speed matching roller for receiving first discrete workpiece components from the first cutting apparatus and a second speed matching roller for receiving second discrete workpiece components from the second cutting apparatus, and mating and registering the first and second workpiece components with respect to one another and depositing them with registration on the third web of material moving at a third constant speed.
  • Non-constant drive means drives the first and second speed matching rollers independently, each at a higher constant dwell speed and a lower constant dwell speed with appropriate periods of acceleration and deceleration between the higher and lower constant dwell speeds.
  • One of the higher or lower constant dwell speeds of the first speed matching roller matches the constant speed of the third web material, and the other of the higher or lower constant dwell speeds of the first speed matching roller matches the constant web speed of the first web material.
  • One of the higher or lower constant dwell speeds of the second speed matching roller matches the constant speed of the first web material, and the other of the higher or lower constant dwell speeds of the second speed matching roller matches the constant web speed of the second web material.
  • the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a multi-component absorbent personal hygiene article comprising a distribution or wicking component layer, a fluid transfer delay component layer, and an absorbent layer, deposited on a backing layer, the distribution, fluid retaining and absorbent layers being of different length and positionally registered with respect to one another on the backing layer.
  • FIG. 1 shows, in a perspective view, a schematic representation of a machine in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 shows a die cut and anvil roller assembly for cutting a web of material by the "butterfly cut” method.
  • FIG. 3 shows a die cut and anvil roller assembly for cutting a web of material by the "ladder cut” method.
  • FIG. 4 shows a schematic partial side view of the machine depicted in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 5 shows an enlarged portion of the side view of the machine of FIG. 4.
  • FIG. 6 shows a generalized speed profile diagram for non-linear drive gears for one embodiment of a machine of the invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a generalized view of non-circular gears.
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of the drive train for a machine of the invention.
  • FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional views of a side commutator vacuum system.
  • FIG. 10 shows a cross sectional view of the commutator of FIG. 9 taken along cut line AA.
  • FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of a center commutator vacuum system.
  • FIG. 12 shows a cross sectional view of the commutator of FIG. 11 taken along cut line BB.
  • FIG. 13 shows a speed profile of the speed matching rollers of the machine of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 14 shows in plan view the elements of an ultra-thin feminine napkin manufactured by the machine and process of the present invention.
  • FIG. 15 shows in side cut-away view the elements of the ultra-thin feminine napkin of FIG. 14.
  • FIG. 16 shows in side cut-away view the elements of a "maxi-" feminine napkin.
  • FIG. 1 shows schematically a machine for depositing two components of differing lengths, cut from webs of material moving at different speeds, carefully registering them with respect to one another, and depositing them on a web moving at constant velocity. Since the two components have different lengths, the web from which each is cut and the apparatus for cutting each from that web, must move at different speeds.
  • the machine of the invention provides for the mating and careful registration of the two components, as well as for the deposition of the mated components with careful registration on a web which is moving at a speed different from that of either of the two webs from which the components were cut.
  • the machine comprises as its main components, a web transport apparatus 100, a first component die cutting apparatus 400, a second component die cutting apparatus 300, component speed matching apparatus 200, and optional embossing apparatus 600.
  • Rollers 102 and 104 of the web transport apparatus 100, 402 and 404 of the first component die cut apparatus 400, 302 and 304 of the second component die cut apparatus 300, and 602 and 604 of the optional embossing apparatus 600 are driven at constant speed equal to the machine line shaft speed, measured in terms of product per minute.
  • Rollers 125 and 150 of the component speed matching apparatus 200 are driven at variable speed in the manner detailed below.
  • a web 202 of a second material is delivered under slight tension to roller 510.
  • the material then passes between anvil roller 302 and die cut roller 304 to cut the web 202 of second material into component pieces 204 having the desired shape and dimensions.
  • Die cutter 300 may be configured to cut component pieces by either a "butterfly cut” method or a “ladder cut” method as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively.
  • the ladder cut method is depicted in ladder cut assembly 800 of FIG. 3, where an advancing web 806 of material passes between anvil roller 802 and die cut roller 804.
  • the scrap "ladder” 810 of cut web is shown moving up and away from the die cut roller 804 and anvil roller 802.
  • the cut component pieces 808 are shown moving along the process stream away from anvil roller 802 and die cut roller 804.
  • the lengths of the cut component pieces 808 are indicated by the dimension L C .
  • the component repeat length i.e.
  • L CR the distance between the leading edge of one cut component and the leading edge of the next following cut component
  • L PR the product repeat length
  • the component pieces 808, cut by the ladder cut method may be of any desired shape. Since the web 806 of material is of a width greater than the width of the cut component pieces 808, there is a region of scrap in the ladder 810 along the sides of each component piece. Likewise, a scrap region of length L CR -L C exists between successive component pieces. As a result, the component pieces 808 may be cut in any desired shape by the ladder cut method, as for example circular, elliptical, "dog-bone” shape, serrated, etc. While possessing the advantage of permitting the component pieces to be cut in any desired shape, the ladder cut method suffers, however, from the disadvantage of having more scrap than the butterfly cut method, which is depicted in FIG. 2.
  • an advancing web 706 of material is shown as passing between anvil roller 702 and die cut roller 704 to produce the component pieces 708 cut by the butterfly method.
  • the scrap pieces 710 are smaller than those derived from the ladder cut method.
  • the component length, component repeat length, and product repeat length, are indicated as L C , L CR , and L PR , respectively, as in FIG. 3.
  • the web of material 706 is the same width as the final cut component pieces 708, there is less scrap but the cut pieces are constrained to have the parallel sides of the web 706.
  • the advancing web of material to be cut by the butterfly cut method may be previously cut so that the sides of the web have a repeating pattern of any desired shape. It is a simple matter to match the cutting frequency in the die cut roller to frequency of repetition of side-cut pattern in the web to produce component pieces cut by the butterfly cut method, but having shaped side edges. This alternative adds, however, to the cost and complexity of the process and the option of cutting component pieces from a web having parallel sides is preferred.
  • the butterfly cut method is also preferred in those instances where the web of material to be cut into component pieces is costly, and the amount of scrap generated by the cutting process is to be minimized.
  • a web 212 of a first material is delivered under slight tension to roller 520.
  • the material then passes between anvil roller 402 and die cut roller 404 to cut the web 212 of first material into first discrete workpiece components 214 having the desired shape and dimensions.
  • the workpiece components 214 may be cut from web 212 by either the ladder cut or butterfly cut method, as desired.
  • the first discrete workpiece components 214 traveling under essentially no tension, are held to the surface of die cut roller 404 by vacuum means discussed further below.
  • the discrete second workpiece components 204 traveling under essentially no tension, are held to the surface of die cut roller 304 by vacuum means.
  • Discrete first workpiece components 214 travel with die cut roller 404 until they enter the gap X between die cut roller 404 and speed matching roller 150 as shown in FIG. 4.
  • This gap X is at least equal to the uncompressed thickness of web 212 of the first material.
  • vacuum is released on die cut roller 404 and applied to speed matching roller 150 causing the component pieces 214 to transfer from die cut roller 404 to speed matching roller 150.
  • discrete second workpiece components 204 travel with die cut roller 304 until they enter the gap Y between die cut roller 304 and speed matching roller 125.
  • This gap Y is at least equal to the uncompressed thickness of web 202 of the second material. Vacuum is released on die cut roller 304 and applied to speed matching roller 125 causing the cut pieces 204 to transfer from die cut roller 304 to speed matching roller 125.
  • first and second component pieces 214 and 204 move respectively with contra-rotating speed matching rollers 125 and 150 and enter gap Z between the first 150 and second 125 speed matching rollers, they are mated.
  • the gap Z is at least equal to the combined uncompressed thicknesses of the web 212 of first material and the web 202 of second material.
  • the vacuum holding second component piece 204 to speed matching roller 125 is released from speed matching roller 125, and second component piece 204 is transferred to speed transfer roller 150 by a higher vacuum which is turned on in speed matching roller 150 to hold both the first 214 and second 204 workpiece components to the roller 150.
  • the first component 214, now sandwiched between second component 204 and the surface of speed matching roller 150, and component 214 are both held by vacuum to speed matching roller 150.
  • the first component piece 214 can be controllably registered with respect to the second component piece 204 so that the first piece is centered on the second, or, in such a manner that the leading end of the advancing first piece leads or trails the leading edge of the second piece by any desired amount.
  • This indexing is achieved in a manner well understood in the mechanical arts such as interposing between the machine line shaft and the shaft driving either or both die cut roller 304 or 404 a phase shift differential of the type manufactured by Fairchild Industrial Products Co., 1501 Fairchild Drive, Winston-Salem, N.C., USA under the trade name "SPECON Mechanism Transmissions.” This permits adjusting the phase angle between die cut rollers 304 and 404 to advance or delay the cutting of one of the components 204 or 214 with respect to the other.
  • SPECON Mechanism Transmissions This permits adjusting the phase angle between die cut rollers 304 and 404 to advance or delay the cutting of one of the components 204 or 214 with respect to the other.
  • a web 222 of a third material is fed under light tension from a roll of material, not shown, to web transport apparatus 100 which comprises rollers 102 and 104 and endless belt 106 passing over the rollers.
  • the web 222 is held by conventional vacuum means, not shown, to the surface of the endless belt 106 which moves in the direction shown by the arrow.
  • first and second discrete component pieces As matched or mated first and second discrete component pieces, shown as 224 in FIGS. 1 and 4, continue to travel with speed matching roller 150, they enter gap W (FIG. 4) and meet the advancing web 222 and are transferred by releasing the vacuum which previously held the mated pair 224 to speed matching roller 150.
  • the vacuum, applied to endless belt 106 causes the two pieces, still mated and registered in their positions relative to one another, to transfer to web 222.
  • an adhesive, 112 applied to the web 222 by spray or slot coat applicator 110 serves to further bind the mated first and second component pieces 224 to the advancing web 222.
  • the mated pair 224 after transfer to the moving web 222, is also partially shown as a cutaway 242 in FIG. 1.
  • Optional further operations are applied to the workpieces as they advance through the machine, such as embossing overlying mated first and second components 224 with a pattern 256 by means of patterned embossing roller 602 and anvil roller 604 to produce an embossed workpiece 254, and applying further components to the workpiece in subsequent operations.
  • embossing overlying mated first and second components 224 with a pattern 256 by means of patterned embossing roller 602 and anvil roller 604 to produce an embossed workpiece 254, and applying further components to the workpiece in subsequent operations.
  • close registration of the components and the embossed pattern must also be maintained. This is accomplished by the machine of the invention by the close registration of the components making up 224 and the firm adherence of components 224 to the moving web 222.
  • Die cut apparatuses 300 and 400, embosser apparatus 600 rollers 510 and 520 are all driven from a common line shaft using conventional pulleys and gearboxes.
  • the die cutting apparatuses 300 and 400 and embossing apparatus 600 perform one function with each revolution of the line shaft, while the receiving web transport 100 and rollers 510 and 520 advance the various webs passing respectively over them one product repeat length with each revolution of the line shaft.
  • the speed matching rollers 125 and 150 move at non-linear speeds during portions of each revolution in a manner which is described in detail below.
  • FIG. 4 shows a side view of the machine elements of FIG. 1. Identical reference numerals are used to denote the same elements in both FIGS. 1 and 4.
  • Roller 520, anvil roller 402 and die cut roller 404 are driven at a constant surface speed equal to the constant speed of material 212 through the first component die cut apparatus 400, that is, at a speed of L CR1 per repeat where L CR1 is the component repeat length of first workpiece component 214.
  • L CR1 is the component repeat length of first workpiece component 214.
  • Speed matching roller 150 decelerates to move with a surface speed equal to the surface speed of die cut roller 404.
  • Speed matching roller 150 remains at this speed for a fraction f of workpiece repeat for the discrete component piece 214.
  • This fraction of a repeat, f is typically selected to provide sufficient time to turn off the vacuum holding first workpiece component 214 to die cut roller 404 and to turn on the vacuum which holds component 214 to speed matching roller 150.
  • the length of the leading end of component 214 which advances during the period f is released from die cut roller 404 and transferred to speed matching roller 150 by the vacuum now applied to speed matching roller 150.
  • the length of time corresponding to f is chosen to be generally greater than one-tenth repeat. If the fraction of a repeat is too small, the time is too short to effectively turn the two vacuum controls off and on, and the fraction of the length of the workpiece component transferred to and held by the receiving roller is too short to insure effective transfer.
  • f is from about 0.2 to about 0.4 repeat, most preferably of a value of about 0.25 for reasons which will be elaborated upon below.
  • the speed matching roller accelerates to match that of the web 222 to which the two components 204 and 214 are eventually transferred, i.e. a speed of L PR per repeat where L PR is the final product repeat length, and speed with which web 222 is moving.
  • a web of second material 202 passes over roller 510 and between anvil roller 302 and die cut roller 304 to cut the web 202 into discrete second workpiece components 204.
  • Roller 510, anvil roller 302 and die cut roller 304 are driven at a constant surface speed equal to the constant speed of material 202 through the first component die cut apparatus 300, i.e. at a speed of L CR2 per repeat where L CR2 is the component repeat length of component 204.
  • speed matching roller 125 decelerates to a surface speed equal to the surface speed of die cut roller 304, i.e.
  • Speed matching roller 125 remains at this speed for a fraction f of a repeat for the discrete component piece 204 to permit the transfer of a leading fraction of the length of second workpiece component 204 from die cut roller 304 to the speed matching roller 125. This is done in the manner described above, that is, by turning off the vacuum which holds component 204 to die cut roller 304 and turning on the vacuum which holds component 204 to speed matching roller 125.
  • Speed matching roller 125 then accelerates to match the speed of speed match roller 150, i.e. L CR1 per repeat.
  • the vacuum holding component 204 is turned off and a higher vacuum is applied to speed matching roller 150 and, as a consequence, component 204 is transferred to speed roller 150, sandwiching component 214 between component 204 and the surface of speed matching roller 150.
  • speed matching roller 150 accelerates to match the speed of endless belt 106 and product web 222, i.e. a speed of L PR per repeat.
  • the vacuum holding the sandwiched pair of components 224 to speed matching roller 150 is turned off and the continuous vacuum applied to endless belt 106 serves to transfer and hold the sandwiched or "stacked" pair of components 224 to endless belt 106.
  • an adhesive 112, optionally applied to web 222 by spray or slot coat application 110 also serves to hold the bottom element of the sandwiched pair 224 to the web 222.
  • FIG. 5 shows an enlarged segment of FIG. 4.
  • speed matching rollers 125, 150, and endless belt 106 are shown with the directions of motion of each indicated by half-headed arrows.
  • Speed matching roller 125 is driven by non-linear drive means described in more detail below, to move at a faster speed which is equal to the first component workpiece 214 repeat length per repeat, i.e L CR1 per repeat, and at a slower speed which is equal to the second component repeat length per repeat, i.e. L CR2 per repeat.
  • the non-linear drive means appropriately accelerates and decelerates speed matching roller 125 between these second speed matching roller higher and lower speeds.
  • speed matching roller 150 is driven by non-linear drive means to move at a first speed matching roller fast speed which is equal to the speed of the product web 222, that is at a speed of the product repeat length per repeat, L PR per repeat and at a slower speed which is equal to the higher speed of second speed matching roller 125, i.e. L CR2 per repeat.
  • a first workpiece component 214 is shown entering the point of narrowest gap Z between speed roller 150 and speed roller 125 just as a second workpiece component 204 is likewise entering gap Z.
  • the radial marking arrow 155 on speed matching roller 150 points to "S 1 " indicating that, at this point in time, roller 150 is starting its dwell at the slower speed L CR1 per repeat.
  • speed matching roller 150 dwells at this constant lower speed for a period f until the roller has turned in the direction of the arrow to the point where radial marking arrow 155 now points to the dot between "S1" and "F1."
  • speed matching roller 150 continues to rotate, the non-linear drive means accelerates the first speed matching roller 150 until the radial arrow 155 points to the marker "F 1 ".
  • first speed matching roller 150 As roller 150 continues to rotate in the direction of the arrow, the non-linear drive means causes first speed matching roller to dwell at the higher speed, L PR per repeat, for the duration of rotation between "F1" and the dot between "F1" and "S2." As roller 150 continues to rotate, the non-linear drive means decelerates the roller until the radial arrow 155 points to S 2 . Thus as the machine runs, first speed matching roller 150 dwells at high speed L PR per repeat, decelerates, dwells at low speed L CR2 per repeat, and accelerates, in a repetitive or cyclical manner.
  • second speed matching roller 125 undergoes cyclical or repetitive dwells at constant higher speed L CR1 per repeat, designated “F a ,” “F b ,” and “F c “ in FIG. 5, and constant slower speed dwells of L CR2 per repeat, designated “S a “, “S b “, and “S c ,” with appropriate periods of acceleration and deceleration between.
  • FIG. 5 shows speed matching rollers 125 and 150 in a 10 position where radial arrow 155 on speed matching roller 150 points to the start of slower speed dwell S 1 for first speed matching roller 150.
  • Radial arrow 130 on second speed matching roller 125 is pointing to the start of high speed dwell F a . for second speed matching roller 125.
  • radial arrow 155 on speed matching roller 150 will point to the dot between "S1" and "F1" indicating the start of acceleration of speed matching roller 150.
  • speed matching roller 125 has turned so that radial arrow 130 now points to the dot between "F a " and "S a " indicating the start of deceleration of speed matching roller 125.
  • a mismatch of speeds exists between speed matching rollers 125 and 150.
  • This mismatch of speeds is made possible by the fact rollers 150 and 125 are not in contact, but have a gap, Z, between them.
  • This gap is chosen to be at least equal to the combined uncompressed thicknesses of the two stacked workpiece components 204 and 214.
  • rollers 125 and 150 are not nip rollers, applying pressure to the components to draw them through gap Z.
  • the movement of the workpiece components is controlled, instead, by their being held to a particular roller by vacuum methods described above and detailed more fully below.
  • Workpiece component 214 is being held to roller 150 by vacuum, while the leading end of workpiece component 204 is being transferred to roller 150 by the vacuum applied to roller 150, the vacuum previously holding workpiece component 204 to roller 125 having been turned off. In this manner, workpiece component 204 is literally pulled slideably off roller 125, the trailing portion of the component 204 sliding across the surface of roller 125. This action has the advantage that workpiece 204 cannot "bunch up" on roller 150 during the transfer of the component from roller 125 to roller 150 which would be the consequence if the relative high and low speeds of the two rollers were reversed.
  • First speed matching roller 150 is shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 as having a circumference equal to five times the length corresponding to the area under speed profile curve for roller 150.
  • Second speed matching roller 125 has a circumference equal to three times the area under the speed profile curve for roller 125.
  • the circumference of either roller can independently take on any integral multiple value, n, of the area under its speed profile curve, although as a practical matter, not all values are feasible.
  • rollers which have circumferences equal to a large integral multiple of the workpiece component become so large and massive that their continual acceleration and deceleration between their slower and faster dwell speeds at high machine rates places strain on their non-linear drive systems.
  • a generalized speed profile curve is depicted in FIG. 6.
  • the discussion of the generalized speed profile curve shown in FIG. 6 which follows will be to speed matching roller 150 for or purposes of illustration.
  • the higher speed L 2 of FIG. 6 is specifically L PR per repeat for the final workpiece.
  • the lower speed, designated L 1 in FIG. 6, is L CR1 per repeat for workpiece component 214.
  • the sloping portions of the curve b 4 and b 5 represent, respectively, the deceleration and acceleration portions of the speed profile for roller 150.
  • the actual acceleration and deceleration portions of the speed curve are not linear, but the area under the curve is equal to that bounded by the heavier solid straight lines.
  • the area under this curve, for speed matching roller 150 then becomes simply the sum of the rectangular area bounded by the line L 1 and 1 repeat, plus the area under the trapezoidal region of the speed curve bounded by the speed curve and L1. If the slow and fast speed dwell times, b 3 and b 2 , respectively, and the acceleration and deceleration times b 5 and b 4 , respectively, are chosen to be all equal, that is all 0.25 repeats, the area under the speed curve becomes simply the average of L 2 and L 1 or, specifically for roller 150, (L PR +L CR1 )/2. This is the distance swept by roller 150 in one product repeat cycle.
  • the circumference (and diameter) of roller 150 can be determined with a given choice for the value n, mentioned above. That is, speed matching roller 150 can be constructed with a circumference n (L PR +L CR1 )/2.
  • FIG. 8 The drives and linkages for one embodiment of a machine of the present invention are depicted in FIG. 8. Corresponding components in FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 8 are given the same reference numbers for clarity.
  • a variety of means can be used to drive speed matching rollers 125 and 150 in a non-linear manner, including electronically controlled servo-motors, cam-and-follower mechanisms, and non-circular gear systems.
  • the drive system must be capable, however, of standing up to the demanding work cycle.
  • Non-circular gear drives are preferred because of their ruggedness and long mean-time-between failure rates compared with servo-motor systems and cam-and-follower mechanisms.
  • the non-circular gear drive for each speed matching roller comprises a pair of gears: a non-circular input (drive) gear and a non-circular output (driven) gear.
  • the input gear is driven by the machine line shaft at a constant rate.
  • the radius of the non-circular drive or input gear varies.
  • the radius of the non-circular driven or output gear changes to correspond to the changes in radius of the non-circular input or drive gear so that the two gears remain engaged or meshed during rotation.
  • Non-circular gears such as those employed in the machine and process of the present invention, can be purchased from Cunningham Industries, Inc. located in Stamford, Conm., USA. Alternatively, one of ordinary skill in the mechanical engineering art can fabricate the desired set of complementary non-circular gears, provided the analytical representation of the desired output function.
  • the design of a set of non-circular gears is developed as follows. First the output function, including the required process speeds and dwells is laid out, as illustrated in FIG. 6 to determine the proper radius of the orbital path taken by the speed matching rollers. Second, the coefficients which establish the transition or acceleration/deceleration portions of the non-circular gears is computed. Once the angles, ratios, and coefficients are known, the gear center-to-center distance is chosen which follows the required radii for the non-circular gears.
  • the radius, R, of the orbital path is determined by first calculating the total area under the output function curve illustrated in FIG. 6:
  • L 1 The low speed of the speed matching roller driven by the output gear (i.e. the mm/repeat for the component being transferred)
  • L 2 The high speed of the speed matching roller driven by the output gear (i.e. the mm/repeat for the product)
  • the ratios and gear angles for the non-circular gears are determined as follows, where the input gear is shown as 920 and the output gear as 922 in FIG. 7:
  • the coefficients which define the shape of the non-circular gears can be computed.
  • the segments of the peripheries of the input (drive) and output (driven) gears defined by the gear angles ⁇ SLOW and ⁇ FAST in each case will define the arc of a circle to insure that the slow and fast dwell times will be of constant speed.
  • the segments of the peripheries of the input and output gears for the transition regions defined by the gear angles ⁇ ACCELERATE and ⁇ DECELERATE must define non-circular arcs.
  • Noncircular gears designed using a sinusoidal function to define the acceleration and deceleration transitions have been found in practice to give good results.
  • the equation defining the shape of the transitional part of the noncircular gears is:
  • ⁇ ACCELERATION is the gear ratio as a function of angular position during the transition
  • the actual pitch line radius, ⁇ , for each noncircular gear can be determined once a choice has been made for the center-to-center distance between the two gears.
  • the gear radii are given by:
  • ⁇ DRIVEN GEAR the radius of the noncircular driven gear
  • ⁇ DRIVE GEAR the radius of the non-circular drive gear
  • D center the desired or chosen center-to-center gear distance D cc in FIG. 7.
  • a smooth curve defining the pitch line can be derived using Equations 17 and 18.
  • the resulting smooth curve of the pitch line is used to construct a gear blank which is then used to manufacture the noncircular gears.
  • Drive system 1000 drives first speed matching roller 150 and drive system 1100 drives second speed matching roller 125.
  • Drive system 1000 comprises non-circular drive gear 1002 and non-circular driven gear 1004.
  • Non-circular drive gear 1002 is turned at constant angular velocity of machine line shaft 1010.
  • the driven, or output non-circular gear 1004 drives a multiplying linkage made up of drive shaft 1012, gear 1018, gear 1022 and linking gear-belt 1026.
  • Gear 1022 drives speed matching roller 150 by means of shaft 1030.
  • drive system 1100 comprises non-circular drive gear 1006 and non-circular driven gear 1008.
  • Non-circular drive gear 1006 is turned at the constant angular velocity of machine line shaft 1014.
  • the driven, or output non-circular gear 1008 drives a multiplying linkage made up of drive shaft 1016, gear 1020, gear 1024, and linking gear-belt 1028.
  • Gear 1024 drives speed matching roller 125 by means of shaft 1032.
  • the gear ratio for gears 1024 and 1020 in the multiplying linkage is the value of n for speed matching roller 125.
  • n is any integral multiple of the area under the speed profile curve for speed matching roller 125.
  • speed matching roller 125 is shown having a circumference equal to three repeats per revolution.
  • the gear ratio of gear 1024 to 1020 is 3:1.
  • FIGS. 9, 10, 11, and 12 Two conventional vacuum systems, well known in the art, may be used in the rollers of the machine of the invention, and are illustrated in FIGS. 9, 10, 11, and 12.
  • FIG. 9 shows an end-view cross-section of a so-called "side-commutator" vacuum system 1200.
  • FIG. 10 shows the vacuum system of FIG. 9 in a cross-section taken along cut line AA.
  • the vacuum system comprises a stationary commutator 1202 and rotor 1204.
  • the rotor 1204 has a series of tubular holes 1208 drilled into it, parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor 1204. Holes 1206, drilled radially in the rotor 1204 connect the axial tubes or holes 1208 to the outer surface of the rotor 1204. Vacuum is introduced into the commutator through entry tube 1210 in the zone between the vacuum slugs 1212.
  • vacuum slugs 1212 block the connection of the commutator 1202 to the axial tubes 1208 in the rotor 1204 during a fraction of each rotation of the rotor 1204.
  • vacuum is introduced into tubes 1208 of the rotor 1204 only during that portion of each rotation of the rotor 1204 designated by the arc ⁇ when no vacuum slug 1212 is interposed between the commutator 1202 and the rotor 1204.
  • the moveable vacuum slugs 1212 determine the ends of vacuum zone defined by the arc ⁇ .
  • the lengths of the arcs ⁇ and ⁇ can be adjusted by appropriate placement of the vacuum slugs 1212.
  • the side-commutator system 1200 is well adapted for rollers in the machine of the invention where it is necessary only to turn on and turn off vacuum as, for example in the die cut rollers 304 and 404.
  • FIG. 11 shows an end-view cross section of a so-called "center commutator” vacuum system 1300.
  • FIG. 12 shows a cross-section of the system 1300 taken along the cut line BB.
  • the system 1300 comprises a stationary commutator made up of two sections 1302 and 1318.
  • the upper section in FIG. 12 comprises a chamber 1308 and tube 1312 through which high vacuum is introduced into chamber 1308.
  • the lower section 1318 of the commutator in FIG. 12 comprises a chamber 1310 into which low vacuum is introduced through tube 1314.
  • baffles 1316 are shown which divide the commutator into three chambers: a chamber into which no vacuum is introduced, a chamber of low vacuum, and a chamber of high vacuum. These chambers correspond to the arcs ⁇ , ⁇ , and ⁇ , respectively.
  • vacuum is maintained in the low and high vacuum chambers at all times, while the radial holes 1306 in concentric rotor 1304 move past each chamber. In this way, no vacuum, low vacuum, or high vacuum is introduced to the outer surface of the rotor 1304 sequentially as the rotor 1304 turns through each revolution.
  • the lengths of arcs ⁇ , ⁇ , and ⁇ are determined, and can be changed by, movement of the baffles 1316.
  • the center-commutator system 1300 with its capability of having zones of non vacuum, low vacuum, and high vacuum, is well adapted for rollers in the machine of the invention where it is necessary to turn on and turn off vacuum, and to have regions of high vacuum as, for example in the speed matching roller 150.
  • the machine of the present invention provides an efficient and cost-effective device for manufacturing multi-component articles of manufacture where there is a need to "stack" up and register two or more workpiece components and subsequently deposit them with registration on a constantly moving web.
  • the speed matching roller system of the invention with its non-linear gear drive, provides a means for carrying out this operation with workpiece components of differing lengths.
  • a web of a first material 212 passes between a first die cut roller 404 and a first anvil roller 402 to cut the web of first material into discrete first workpiece components 214 having a component length of L C1 and a repeat length between the leading edge of one cut workpiece component and the leading edge of the next successive workpiece component of L CR1 .
  • the web of first material, the first die cut roller and the first anvil roller are moving at a constant surface speed of L CR1 per repeat.
  • the discrete workpiece components cut from the web of first material are held to the surface of the first die cut roller by vacuum means while the scrap portions, not shown in FIG. 4, of the web of first material move away from the surface of the first die cut roller.
  • a discrete first workpiece component 214 in the train of successive components cut from the first web is transferred to a first speed matching roller 150 which is spaced apart from the first die cut roller by a gap X of at least the uncompressed thickness of the first web of material.
  • the first speed matching roller moves at a surface speed equal to L CR1 per repeat for a dwell period A 11 preferably about one-fourth workpiece repeat cycle as shown in the speed profiles of the first and second speed matching rollers in FIG. 13.
  • a 11 preferably about one-fourth workpiece repeat cycle as shown in the speed profiles of the first and second speed matching rollers in FIG. 13.
  • a portion of the length of a first cut discrete workpiece component moves into the gap X separating the first die cut roller 404 and the first speed matching roller 150 and is transferred from the die cut roller 404 to the first speed matching roller 150.
  • the transfer is effected by turning off the vacuum means holding the first cut discrete workpiece component 214 to the first die cut roller 404 and turning on vacuum to hold the leading fractional portion of the first discrete workpiece component 214 to the first speed matching roller 150.
  • the surface speed of the first speed matching roller 150 is accelerated during a period (B 11 in FIG. 13), again preferably about one-fourth workpiece repeat cycle, to a higher surface speed equal to the speed of a third web of product material 222, L PR per repeat where L PR is the distance between the leading edge of one product workpiece and the leading edge of the next following workpiece on the third product web of material.
  • the trailing portion of the first discrete workpiece component is pulled slideably off the slower moving surface of the first die cut roller 404, to which it is being lightly held by vacuum.
  • first speed matching roller 150 After accelerating, the first speed matching roller 150 then dwells at this higher surface speed, L PR per repeat, for a period of time, preferably about one-fourth workpiece repeat cycle (C 11 in FIG. 13). Since, in the embodiment shown, first speed matching roller 150 is of a circumference equal to a multiple number of product repeats, a previously cut and registered pair of first and second workpiece components 224 is entering gap W between the first speed matching roller 150 and the moving third web of product material 222. The registered first and second cut discrete workpiece components 224, held to the surface of the first speed matching roller 150, are transferred to the third web of moving product material 222 by turning off the vacuum holding the first and second cut discrete workpiece components 224 to the first speed matching roller 150. The action of the continuous vacuum holding the third web of product material to the surface over which it is passing, adheres the pair of components 224 to the moving web.
  • the first speed matching roller 150 decelerates during a period of time (D 11 in FIG. 13), preferably about one-fourth workpiece repeat cycle, to a surface speed of L CR1 per repeat, and the cycle repeats.
  • the stacked, registered first and second cut discrete workpiece components 224 now resting on the moving third web of product material 222, are pulled slideably off the first speed matching roller to which they are lightly held by vacuum.
  • a web of a second material 202 passes between a second die cut roller 304 and a second anvil roller 302 to cut the web of second material 202 into discrete second workpiece components 204 having a component length of L C2 , with a repeat length between the leading edge of one cut workpiece component and the next successive workpiece component of L CR2
  • the web of second material 202, the second die cut roller 304 and the second anvil roller 302 are moving at a constant surface speed of L CR2 per repeat where L CR2 is the distance between the leading edge of one of the second cut workpiece components and the leading edge of the next following second workpiece component as the components are being cut from the web of second material.
  • the discrete workpiece components 204 cut from the web of second material 202 are held to the surface of the second die cut roller 304 by vacuum means while the scrap portions of the web of second material move away from the surface of the second die cut roller.
  • the second die cut roller 304 and second speed matching roller 125 are spaced apart by a gap Y of at least the uncompressed thickness of the second web 202 of material.
  • the second speed matching roller 125 moves at a slower linear surface speed equal to L CR2 per repeat for a dwell period (C 12 in FIG. 13), preferably about one-fourth workpiece repeat cycle, sufficient to advance a cut discrete workpiece component 204 through the gap Y separating the second die cut roller 304 and the second speed matching roller 125.
  • a prior cut workpiece component in the train of successive components cut from the second web of material is simultaneously moving through the gap Z between the second speed matching roller 125 and the first speed matching roller 150.
  • the transfer is effected by turning off the vacuum means holding the second cut discrete workpiece component to the second die cut roller and turning on the vacuum to hold the leading fractional portion of the second discrete workpiece component to the second speed matching roller.
  • the linear surface speed of the second speed matching roller is accelerated during a period (D 12 in FIG. 13), again preferably about one-fourth workpiece repeat cycle, to a higher linear surface speed equal to the slower speed of the first speed matching roller, i.e. L CR1 per repeat.
  • L CR1 the slower speed of the first speed matching roller
  • the second speed matching roller 125 then dwells at this higher linear surface speed, L CR1 per repeat, for a period of time (A 22 in FIG. 13), preferably about one-fourth workpiece repeat cycle, sufficient to advance a portion of the length of a prior cut second discrete workpiece component through the gap between the second speed matching roller 125 and the first speed matching roller 150.
  • the first and second speed matching rollers are separated by a gap Z at least equal to the combined uncompressed thickness of the webs of first and second materials 202 and 212.
  • the leading edge of a cut discrete first workpiece component enters the gap Z between the first speed matching roller 150 and the second speed matching roller 125
  • the leading edge of a second discrete workpiece component 214 also enters the gap Z between the first and second speed matching rollers.
  • the desired offset, if any, between the advancing leading edges of the first and second discrete workpiece components is adjusted by differential means driving the first and/or second die cut rollers indicated as 405 and 305 in FIG. 8.
  • Transfer of the second discrete workpiece component 204 from the second speed matching roller 125 to the first speed matching roller 150 is effected by turning off the vacuum holding the second workpiece component 204 to the second speed matching roller 125 and turning on high vacuum on the first speed matching roller 150 which serves to continue holding the first cut discrete workpiece component 214 to the first speed matching roller 150 while also holding the second discrete workpiece component 204, overlying the first component 214, to the first speed matching roller 150.
  • the second speed matching roller 125 decelerates during a period of time (B 22 in FIG. 13), preferably about one-fourth workpiece repeat cycle, to the surface speed, L CR2 per repeat. As the second speed matching roller 125 decelerates, the trailing portion of the second discrete workpiece component 204 is pulled slideably off the second speed matching roller 125 to which it is being lightly held by vacuum.
  • a web 222 of a third material is transported on an endless belt 106 moving at a constant speed Of L PR per repeat and is held to the endless belt by vacuum means.
  • the endless belt 106 is separated from the first speed matching roller 150 by a gap W of at least the combined thickness of the uncompressed web of materials 202, 212, and 222.
  • the belt and the first speed matching roller are turning at the same surface speed of L PR per repeat.
  • the first speed matching roller 150 speed dwells at this higher constant speed of L PR per repeat for a period, preferably about 1/4 workpiece repeat cycle, to move a portion of the lengths of the stacked workpiece components through the gap W separating the first speed matching roller and the endless belt.
  • the high vacuum holding the stacked components 214 to the first speed matching roller 150 is turned off.
  • the faster moving endless belt 106 holding the stacked components to the third web 222 of moving material by vacuum means, pulls the stacked components 224 slideably off the first speed matching roller 150 and onto the web 222 of moving material.
  • the overlying stacked first and second workpiece components, now held by vacuum and optional adhesive 112 to web 222 of the third material move down the process stream to subsequent operations.
  • the elements of the napkin are shown in plan view, built up from the lowest "barrier component” to the uppermost "cover” component of the napkin.
  • the cover component of the napkin is the component of the napkin worn closest to the user's body during use, and the barrier component is worn furthest from the user's body.
  • the napkin 900 depicted in FIG. 14 and described in this Example comprises a unique distribution feature which serves to disseminate, or distribute, body fluids prior to their reaching the absorbent component of the napkin in order to provide a more efficient napkin having longer service life prior to the need for its replacement and resulting greater comfort to the user.
  • the distribution feature includes distribution and delay components not found in prior art napkins. The specific materials used for the various components of the napkin are described in detail in co-pending application Serial No. (application Ser. No. 09/072172, filed May 5, 1998), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
  • the napkin 900 has, when finally cut along dashed cut line 913, a dog-bone shape and an overall length L P equal to about 300 mm. With, for example, an allowance for in-process strain of 2 percent and a scrap of 0 mm between successive finished napkins when they are cut along dashed line 913, the product repeat length L PR is 306 mm.
  • the napkin 900 comprises an upper cover 222 which is permeable to body fluids. Cover 222 constitutes the moving web of material 222 mentioned in the general process discussion above.
  • Transfer delay component 214 acts to slightly retard the flow of body fluids to permit the distribution component 204 above to effectively carry out its wicking function prior to the passage of body fluids through to the absorbent component below.
  • the web 222 travels at a constant linear speed of 306 mm/repeat, which is the higher speed of first speed matching roller 150 in FIG. 1 and in the general process described above.
  • the web of second material 202, the anvil and die cut rollers 302 and 304 travel at a constant surface speed of 260 mm/repeat which is also the low constant dwell speed of speed matching roller 125.
  • the barrier component 912 laying under the absorbent component 908, is typically made of a polymeric material which is not permeable to body fluids and which serves to shield the user's undergarments from staining by body fluids.
  • the cover component is generally translucent and is typically made of a white material.
  • the absorbent layer 908, transfer delay component 214 and distribution component 204 are fabricated of materials of different colors.
  • the absorbent component 908 and distribution component 204 may be white, while the transfer delay component 214 may be light blue, pink, peach, or some other pleasing color.
  • the various components, viewed through the preferably translucent cover component 222 thus form a pleasing pattern.
  • the cross-hatched region of the transfer delay component 214 in FIG. 14 appears as a uniform band of color through the translucent upper cover component 222.
  • the finished napkin 900 may be further embossed with a visual cue pattern 256.
  • the distribution component 204 and the transfer delay component 214 be carefully registered with respect to one another, and with the optional embossed visual cue 256. If the distribution component 204 and transfer delay component 214 are mismatched, the colored band is seen as a non-uniform band and detracts from the overall aesthetic appearance of the finished product. Moreover, if the optional embossed visual cue pattern 256 is similarly mismatched with the band of color, the overall pleasing appearance of the product is diminished.
  • a web of cover material 222 for the napkin 900 is fed to the machine of the invention at a constant speed of L P per repeat or 306 mm/repeat.
  • a web of first material 214 from which the transfer delay components 214 are cut is fed to the pair of die cut and anvil rollers 402 and 404 at a constant speed of L CR1 per repeat, or 275 mm/repeat.
  • a web 202 of second material is fed to anvil and die cut rollers 302 and 304 at a constant linear speed of L CR2 per repeat, or 260 mm/repeat to be cut into distribution components 204.
  • the transfer delay 214 and distribution components 204 components are mated and registered by means of the speed transfer rollers 125 and 150 and transferred to the moving web of cover material 222.
  • Speed matching rollers 125 and 150 repeatedly undergo acceleration to their respective higher constant dwell speeds of 275 mm/repeat and 306 mm/repeat, and deceleration to their respective low dwell speeds of 260 mm/repeat and 275 mm/repeat in a cyclical pattern which is 180° out of phase.
  • 180° out of phase is meant that, as shown in FIG. 13, when speed matching roller 150 is moving at its highest dwell speed, roller 125 is moving at its lower dwell speed. Similarly speed matching roller 150 is moving at its lower dwell speed, roller 125 is moving at its higher dwell speed. In this manner, the components are controllably registered by mating them at a matched speed
  • a spray or slot coat application of adhesive 112 is optionally made to the moving web of cover material, preferably in a pin-stripe pattern, to aid in holding the components to the web of cover material after they leave the region of vacuum.
  • the adhesive also serves to hold the stacked distribution 204 and transfer delay 214 components to the web 222 of cover material and constantly moving web 106.
  • embossing and anvil rollers 602 and 604 apply an optional embossed visual cue pattern 256 to the partially finished napkin.
  • Downstream operations in the process not shown, apply the barrier component 912, the light adhesive which serves to attach the napkin to a woman's undergarment, and the peel strip, all shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.
  • a downstream operation in the process also not shown, inserts an additional absorbent or superabsorbent pleget component 918 into the napkin prior to the addition of the barrier component 912, garment adhesive 914 and peel strip 916.

Abstract

A process for manufacturing a multi-component workpiece including cutting a first web of material moving at a first speed into first components, cutting a second web of material moving at a second speed into second components, transferring one of the first components onto a first surface moving at the first speed, transferring one of the second components onto a second surface moving at the second speed, adjusting the speed of the second surface to match the speed of the first surface, transferring the second component onto the first component, adjusting the speed of the first surface to match that of a third moving web, transferring the mated first and second components into the third moving web, readjusting the speed of the first surface to the first speed, and readjusting the speed of the second surface to the second speed. In a particular embodiment, the process manufactures a multi-component absorbent personal hygiene articles.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for receiving discrete parts of a workpiece traveling at different speeds relative to one another and applying the parts to a moving web of material. More particularly, the invention concerns a method and apparatus for receiving discrete parts from at least two webs of moving material moving at different speeds and depositing the discrete parts with controllable registration on a third continuously moving web of material.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Articles such as infant diapers, adult continence diapers, feminine napkins and the like have been manufactured generally by processes where discrete parts or components of the article are deposited on a continuously moving product web. Often, the speed with which the parts or components are produced and fed into the process is not the same as the speed of advance of the product web itself. In such cases, the speed of production and/or deposition of the component parts on the moving web must be varied to match the speed of the product web to properly match the parts to the moving web without adversely affecting the process or finished article.
Several methods for changing the speed of a part or component of material for deposition on a continuously moving web are known in the art. One method employs rollers segmented into sections which are inwardly and outwardly moveable in a direction radial to their direction of rotation. As the roller rotates, the segments are driven by cam actuating or gearing means to move inwardly and outwardly changing the linear surface speed of the roller segments as the roller rotates through each revolution.
Another method utilizes festoons to reduce the speed of the moving web to which the parts or components are to be applied. The continuously moving web is temporarily slowed to the speed of the component parts to be deposited, with the excess portion of the continuously moving web gathering in festoons. While the continuously moving web is slowed to match the speed of the component parts, the parts are transferred to the web and the speed of the web is then accelerated to gather the festoons prior to the next cycle.
Another method is the so-called "slip gap" method in which the parts or components are cut from a web of material moving at a slower speed than the product web. As the component parts are cut from the first web of material, they are held to either the anvil roller or the cutter roller by means of vacuum. As the pieces pass tangentially to the continuously moving product web which is moving at a different speed, the parts or components slip temporarily until they are vacuum transferred to the continuously moving product web.
These known methods of transferring component parts, moving at one speed, to a continuously moving web moving at a different speed, do not address the problem of insuring careful registration of the deposited component parts on the continuously moving web. The problem is exacerbated when the need exists for depositing two or more components, one on top of the other on the continuously moving web while insuring careful registration of one component to the other, or to the moving web.
SUMMARY
In one embodiment, the present invention provides a process for manufacturing a multi-component workpiece comprising at least two components cut from moving webs of material, registering the components with respect to one another, and depositing the registered components with on a web of moving material. The process comprises the steps of a) cutting the first discrete workpiece components from a web of first material moving at first web speed, b) cutting the second discrete workpiece components from a web of second material moving at a second web speed, c) mating the first and second discrete workpiece components and registering them with respect to one another, and d) depositing the mated first and second workpiece components with registration on a third web of material moving at a third constant speed.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a machine for cutting first and second discrete workpiece components, respectively, from first and second webs of material running at different constant web speeds, the first and second workpiece components being optionally of different lengths, registering them with respect to one another, and depositing them with registration on a third web of material moving at a third constant web speed.
The machine comprises a first apparatus for cutting discrete components from a web of material moving at a first web speed, and a second apparatus for cutting discrete components of a second material from a web of second material moving at a second web speed. Speed matching apparatus comprises a first speed matching roller for receiving first discrete workpiece components from the first cutting apparatus and a second speed matching roller for receiving second discrete workpiece components from the second cutting apparatus, and mating and registering the first and second workpiece components with respect to one another and depositing them with registration on the third web of material moving at a third constant speed.
Non-constant drive means drives the first and second speed matching rollers independently, each at a higher constant dwell speed and a lower constant dwell speed with appropriate periods of acceleration and deceleration between the higher and lower constant dwell speeds. One of the higher or lower constant dwell speeds of the first speed matching roller matches the constant speed of the third web material, and the other of the higher or lower constant dwell speeds of the first speed matching roller matches the constant web speed of the first web material. One of the higher or lower constant dwell speeds of the second speed matching roller matches the constant speed of the first web material, and the other of the higher or lower constant dwell speeds of the second speed matching roller matches the constant web speed of the second web material.
In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a multi-component absorbent personal hygiene article comprising a distribution or wicking component layer, a fluid transfer delay component layer, and an absorbent layer, deposited on a backing layer, the distribution, fluid retaining and absorbent layers being of different length and positionally registered with respect to one another on the backing layer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
FIG. 1 shows, in a perspective view, a schematic representation of a machine in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 shows a die cut and anvil roller assembly for cutting a web of material by the "butterfly cut" method.
FIG. 3 shows a die cut and anvil roller assembly for cutting a web of material by the "ladder cut" method.
FIG. 4 shows a schematic partial side view of the machine depicted in FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 shows an enlarged portion of the side view of the machine of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 shows a generalized speed profile diagram for non-linear drive gears for one embodiment of a machine of the invention.
FIG. 7 is a generalized view of non-circular gears.
FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of the drive train for a machine of the invention.
FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional views of a side commutator vacuum system.
FIG. 10 shows a cross sectional view of the commutator of FIG. 9 taken along cut line AA.
FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of a center commutator vacuum system.
FIG. 12 shows a cross sectional view of the commutator of FIG. 11 taken along cut line BB.
FIG. 13 shows a speed profile of the speed matching rollers of the machine of FIG. 1.
FIG. 14 shows in plan view the elements of an ultra-thin feminine napkin manufactured by the machine and process of the present invention.
FIG. 15 shows in side cut-away view the elements of the ultra-thin feminine napkin of FIG. 14.
FIG. 16 shows in side cut-away view the elements of a "maxi-" feminine napkin.
The invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction or the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in other various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the terminology and phraseology employed herein is for purpose of description and illustration and should not be regarded as limiting. Like reference numerals in the drawing figures are used to indicate like components.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
One embodiment of a machine in accordance with the present invention is represented in FIG. 1 which shows schematically a machine for depositing two components of differing lengths, cut from webs of material moving at different speeds, carefully registering them with respect to one another, and depositing them on a web moving at constant velocity. Since the two components have different lengths, the web from which each is cut and the apparatus for cutting each from that web, must move at different speeds. The machine of the invention provides for the mating and careful registration of the two components, as well as for the deposition of the mated components with careful registration on a web which is moving at a speed different from that of either of the two webs from which the components were cut.
The machine comprises as its main components, a web transport apparatus 100, a first component die cutting apparatus 400, a second component die cutting apparatus 300, component speed matching apparatus 200, and optional embossing apparatus 600. Rollers 102 and 104 of the web transport apparatus 100, 402 and 404 of the first component die cut apparatus 400, 302 and 304 of the second component die cut apparatus 300, and 602 and 604 of the optional embossing apparatus 600 are driven at constant speed equal to the machine line shaft speed, measured in terms of product per minute. Rollers 125 and 150 of the component speed matching apparatus 200 are driven at variable speed in the manner detailed below.
Referring to FIG. 1, a web 202 of a second material is delivered under slight tension to roller 510. The material then passes between anvil roller 302 and die cut roller 304 to cut the web 202 of second material into component pieces 204 having the desired shape and dimensions.
Die cutter 300 may be configured to cut component pieces by either a "butterfly cut" method or a "ladder cut" method as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively. The ladder cut method is depicted in ladder cut assembly 800 of FIG. 3, where an advancing web 806 of material passes between anvil roller 802 and die cut roller 804. The scrap "ladder" 810 of cut web is shown moving up and away from the die cut roller 804 and anvil roller 802. The cut component pieces 808 are shown moving along the process stream away from anvil roller 802 and die cut roller 804. The lengths of the cut component pieces 808 are indicated by the dimension LC. The component repeat length, i.e. the distance between the leading edge of one cut component and the leading edge of the next following cut component, is indicated as LCR and the product repeat length, i.e. the distance between the leading edge of one completed workpiece and the leading edge of the next following workpiece in the product stream, is indicated at LPR which may or may not be the same as the component repeat lengths.
While shown as pieces having parallel sides and semi-circular ends, the component pieces 808, cut by the ladder cut method, may be of any desired shape. Since the web 806 of material is of a width greater than the width of the cut component pieces 808, there is a region of scrap in the ladder 810 along the sides of each component piece. Likewise, a scrap region of length LCR -LC exists between successive component pieces. As a result, the component pieces 808 may be cut in any desired shape by the ladder cut method, as for example circular, elliptical, "dog-bone" shape, serrated, etc. While possessing the advantage of permitting the component pieces to be cut in any desired shape, the ladder cut method suffers, however, from the disadvantage of having more scrap than the butterfly cut method, which is depicted in FIG. 2.
In butterfly cut assembly 700 of FIG. 2, an advancing web 706 of material is shown as passing between anvil roller 702 and die cut roller 704 to produce the component pieces 708 cut by the butterfly method. The scrap pieces 710 are smaller than those derived from the ladder cut method. The component length, component repeat length, and product repeat length, are indicated as LC, LCR, and LPR, respectively, as in FIG. 3.
Since, in the butterfly cut method, the web of material 706 is the same width as the final cut component pieces 708, there is less scrap but the cut pieces are constrained to have the parallel sides of the web 706. However, alternatively, the advancing web of material to be cut by the butterfly cut method may be previously cut so that the sides of the web have a repeating pattern of any desired shape. It is a simple matter to match the cutting frequency in the die cut roller to frequency of repetition of side-cut pattern in the web to produce component pieces cut by the butterfly cut method, but having shaped side edges. This alternative adds, however, to the cost and complexity of the process and the option of cutting component pieces from a web having parallel sides is preferred. The butterfly cut method is also preferred in those instances where the web of material to be cut into component pieces is costly, and the amount of scrap generated by the cutting process is to be minimized.
Referring again to FIG. 1, a web 212 of a first material is delivered under slight tension to roller 520.
The material then passes between anvil roller 402 and die cut roller 404 to cut the web 212 of first material into first discrete workpiece components 214 having the desired shape and dimensions. Again, as discussed above, the workpiece components 214 may be cut from web 212 by either the ladder cut or butterfly cut method, as desired.
The first discrete workpiece components 214, traveling under essentially no tension, are held to the surface of die cut roller 404 by vacuum means discussed further below. Similarly, the discrete second workpiece components 204, traveling under essentially no tension, are held to the surface of die cut roller 304 by vacuum means.
Discrete first workpiece components 214 travel with die cut roller 404 until they enter the gap X between die cut roller 404 and speed matching roller 150 as shown in FIG. 4. This gap X is at least equal to the uncompressed thickness of web 212 of the first material. As a component 214 enters gap X, vacuum is released on die cut roller 404 and applied to speed matching roller 150 causing the component pieces 214 to transfer from die cut roller 404 to speed matching roller 150. Similarly, discrete second workpiece components 204 travel with die cut roller 304 until they enter the gap Y between die cut roller 304 and speed matching roller 125. This gap Y is at least equal to the uncompressed thickness of web 202 of the second material. Vacuum is released on die cut roller 304 and applied to speed matching roller 125 causing the cut pieces 204 to transfer from die cut roller 304 to speed matching roller 125.
As discrete first and second component pieces 214 and 204, move respectively with contra-rotating speed matching rollers 125 and 150 and enter gap Z between the first 150 and second 125 speed matching rollers, they are mated. The gap Z is at least equal to the combined uncompressed thicknesses of the web 212 of first material and the web 202 of second material. The vacuum holding second component piece 204 to speed matching roller 125 is released from speed matching roller 125, and second component piece 204 is transferred to speed transfer roller 150 by a higher vacuum which is turned on in speed matching roller 150 to hold both the first 214 and second 204 workpiece components to the roller 150. The first component 214, now sandwiched between second component 204 and the surface of speed matching roller 150, and component 214 are both held by vacuum to speed matching roller 150.
By indexing the die cut rollers 304 or 404 with respect to one another, the first component piece 214 can be controllably registered with respect to the second component piece 204 so that the first piece is centered on the second, or, in such a manner that the leading end of the advancing first piece leads or trails the leading edge of the second piece by any desired amount. This indexing is achieved in a manner well understood in the mechanical arts such as interposing between the machine line shaft and the shaft driving either or both die cut roller 304 or 404 a phase shift differential of the type manufactured by Fairchild Industrial Products Co., 1501 Fairchild Drive, Winston-Salem, N.C., USA under the trade name "SPECON Mechanism Transmissions." This permits adjusting the phase angle between die cut rollers 304 and 404 to advance or delay the cutting of one of the components 204 or 214 with respect to the other.
Referring still to FIG. 1, a web 222 of a third material is fed under light tension from a roll of material, not shown, to web transport apparatus 100 which comprises rollers 102 and 104 and endless belt 106 passing over the rollers. The web 222 is held by conventional vacuum means, not shown, to the surface of the endless belt 106 which moves in the direction shown by the arrow.
As matched or mated first and second discrete component pieces, shown as 224 in FIGS. 1 and 4, continue to travel with speed matching roller 150, they enter gap W (FIG. 4) and meet the advancing web 222 and are transferred by releasing the vacuum which previously held the mated pair 224 to speed matching roller 150. The vacuum, applied to endless belt 106 causes the two pieces, still mated and registered in their positions relative to one another, to transfer to web 222. Optionally, an adhesive, 112, applied to the web 222 by spray or slot coat applicator 110 serves to further bind the mated first and second component pieces 224 to the advancing web 222. The mated pair 224, after transfer to the moving web 222, is also partially shown as a cutaway 242 in FIG. 1.
Optional further operations are applied to the workpieces as they advance through the machine, such as embossing overlying mated first and second components 224 with a pattern 256 by means of patterned embossing roller 602 and anvil roller 604 to produce an embossed workpiece 254, and applying further components to the workpiece in subsequent operations. It should be noted, however, that in the instance where a pattern 256 is to be embossed on web 222 and the overlying components 224, close registration of the components and the embossed pattern must also be maintained. This is accomplished by the machine of the invention by the close registration of the components making up 224 and the firm adherence of components 224 to the moving web 222.
Die cut apparatuses 300 and 400, embosser apparatus 600 rollers 510 and 520 are all driven from a common line shaft using conventional pulleys and gearboxes. The die cutting apparatuses 300 and 400 and embossing apparatus 600 perform one function with each revolution of the line shaft, while the receiving web transport 100 and rollers 510 and 520 advance the various webs passing respectively over them one product repeat length with each revolution of the line shaft. In contrast, the speed matching rollers 125 and 150 move at non-linear speeds during portions of each revolution in a manner which is described in detail below.
Having described the overall operation of the machine of the invention, the specifics of operation of the speed matching rollers 125 and 150 will now be described. Reference is made to FIG. 4 which shows a side view of the machine elements of FIG. 1. Identical reference numerals are used to denote the same elements in both FIGS. 1 and 4.
Roller 520, anvil roller 402 and die cut roller 404 are driven at a constant surface speed equal to the constant speed of material 212 through the first component die cut apparatus 400, that is, at a speed of LCR1 per repeat where LCR1 is the component repeat length of first workpiece component 214. (Workpiece speed expressed as repeat length per repeat is a convenient unit of workpiece speed since it is independent of the actual machine speed.) As the leading ends of each discrete component piece 214 approach the point of narrowest gap X between die cut roller 404 and speed matching roller 150, speed matching roller 150 decelerates to move with a surface speed equal to the surface speed of die cut roller 404. Speed matching roller 150 remains at this speed for a fraction f of workpiece repeat for the discrete component piece 214. This fraction of a repeat, f, is typically selected to provide sufficient time to turn off the vacuum holding first workpiece component 214 to die cut roller 404 and to turn on the vacuum which holds component 214 to speed matching roller 150. The length of the leading end of component 214 which advances during the period f is released from die cut roller 404 and transferred to speed matching roller 150 by the vacuum now applied to speed matching roller 150.
The length of time corresponding to f is chosen to be generally greater than one-tenth repeat. If the fraction of a repeat is too small, the time is too short to effectively turn the two vacuum controls off and on, and the fraction of the length of the workpiece component transferred to and held by the receiving roller is too short to insure effective transfer. Preferably f is from about 0.2 to about 0.4 repeat, most preferably of a value of about 0.25 for reasons which will be elaborated upon below.
After the length of component 214 corresponding to the fraction of repeat f has been transferred to speed matching roller 150, and the vacuum which formerly held the component 214 to die cut roller 404 has been turned off, the speed matching roller accelerates to match that of the web 222 to which the two components 204 and 214 are eventually transferred, i.e. a speed of LPR per repeat where LPR is the final product repeat length, and speed with which web 222 is moving.
Simultaneous with this course of events, a web of second material 202 passes over roller 510 and between anvil roller 302 and die cut roller 304 to cut the web 202 into discrete second workpiece components 204. Roller 510, anvil roller 302 and die cut roller 304 are driven at a constant surface speed equal to the constant speed of material 202 through the first component die cut apparatus 300, i.e. at a speed of LCR2 per repeat where LCR2 is the component repeat length of component 204. As the leading end of each discrete component piece 204 approaches the point of narrowest gap Y between die cut roller 304 and speed matching roller 125, speed matching roller 125 decelerates to a surface speed equal to the surface speed of die cut roller 304, i.e. LC2 per repeat. Speed matching roller 125 remains at this speed for a fraction f of a repeat for the discrete component piece 204 to permit the transfer of a leading fraction of the length of second workpiece component 204 from die cut roller 304 to the speed matching roller 125. This is done in the manner described above, that is, by turning off the vacuum which holds component 204 to die cut roller 304 and turning on the vacuum which holds component 204 to speed matching roller 125.
Speed matching roller 125 then accelerates to match the speed of speed match roller 150, i.e. LCR1 per repeat. As the leading ends of both first 204 and second 214 components approach the narrowest gap Z between speed matching rollers 125 and 150, the vacuum holding component 204 is turned off and a higher vacuum is applied to speed matching roller 150 and, as a consequence, component 204 is transferred to speed roller 150, sandwiching component 214 between component 204 and the surface of speed matching roller 150.
As the leading end of sandwiched components 204 and 214, designated 224 in FIG. 4, approach the point of narrowest gap W between speed matching roller 150 and endless belt 106 carrying web 222, speed matching roller 150 accelerates to match the speed of endless belt 106 and product web 222, i.e. a speed of LPR per repeat. The vacuum holding the sandwiched pair of components 224 to speed matching roller 150 is turned off and the continuous vacuum applied to endless belt 106 serves to transfer and hold the sandwiched or "stacked" pair of components 224 to endless belt 106. In addition, an adhesive 112, optionally applied to web 222 by spray or slot coat application 110 also serves to hold the bottom element of the sandwiched pair 224 to the web 222.
Having described generally the functioning of the speed matching rollers 125 and 150, their operation is explained in greater detail by reference to FIG. 5 which shows an enlarged segment of FIG. 4.
In FIG. 5, speed matching rollers 125, 150, and endless belt 106 are shown with the directions of motion of each indicated by half-headed arrows. Speed matching roller 125 is driven by non-linear drive means described in more detail below, to move at a faster speed which is equal to the first component workpiece 214 repeat length per repeat, i.e LCR1 per repeat, and at a slower speed which is equal to the second component repeat length per repeat, i.e. LCR2 per repeat. The non-linear drive means appropriately accelerates and decelerates speed matching roller 125 between these second speed matching roller higher and lower speeds.
Similarly, speed matching roller 150 is driven by non-linear drive means to move at a first speed matching roller fast speed which is equal to the speed of the product web 222, that is at a speed of the product repeat length per repeat, LPR per repeat and at a slower speed which is equal to the higher speed of second speed matching roller 125, i.e. LCR2 per repeat.
In FIG. 5, a first workpiece component 214 is shown entering the point of narrowest gap Z between speed roller 150 and speed roller 125 just as a second workpiece component 204 is likewise entering gap Z. The radial marking arrow 155 on speed matching roller 150 points to "S1 " indicating that, at this point in time, roller 150 is starting its dwell at the slower speed LCR1 per repeat. As mentioned above, speed matching roller 150 dwells at this constant lower speed for a period f until the roller has turned in the direction of the arrow to the point where radial marking arrow 155 now points to the dot between "S1" and "F1." As speed matching roller 150 continues to rotate, the non-linear drive means accelerates the first speed matching roller 150 until the radial arrow 155 points to the marker "F1 ". As roller 150 continues to rotate in the direction of the arrow, the non-linear drive means causes first speed matching roller to dwell at the higher speed, LPR per repeat, for the duration of rotation between "F1" and the dot between "F1" and "S2." As roller 150 continues to rotate, the non-linear drive means decelerates the roller until the radial arrow 155 points to S2. Thus as the machine runs, first speed matching roller 150 dwells at high speed LPR per repeat, decelerates, dwells at low speed LCR2 per repeat, and accelerates, in a repetitive or cyclical manner.
In the same manner, second speed matching roller 125 undergoes cyclical or repetitive dwells at constant higher speed LCR1 per repeat, designated "Fa," "Fb," and "Fc " in FIG. 5, and constant slower speed dwells of LCR2 per repeat, designated "Sa ", "Sb ", and "Sc," with appropriate periods of acceleration and deceleration between.
FIG. 5 shows speed matching rollers 125 and 150 in a 10 position where radial arrow 155 on speed matching roller 150 points to the start of slower speed dwell S1 for first speed matching roller 150. Radial arrow 130 on second speed matching roller 125, is pointing to the start of high speed dwell Fa. for second speed matching roller 125. As the rollers turn in the direction indicated by the half-headed arrows, radial arrow 155 on speed matching roller 150 will point to the dot between "S1" and "F1" indicating the start of acceleration of speed matching roller 150. During this period, speed matching roller 125 has turned so that radial arrow 130 now points to the dot between "Fa " and "Sa " indicating the start of deceleration of speed matching roller 125. At this point in time, a mismatch of speeds exists between speed matching rollers 125 and 150. This mismatch of speeds is made possible by the fact rollers 150 and 125 are not in contact, but have a gap, Z, between them. This gap is chosen to be at least equal to the combined uncompressed thicknesses of the two stacked workpiece components 204 and 214. In other words, rollers 125 and 150 are not nip rollers, applying pressure to the components to draw them through gap Z. The movement of the workpiece components is controlled, instead, by their being held to a particular roller by vacuum methods described above and detailed more fully below.
Workpiece component 214 is being held to roller 150 by vacuum, while the leading end of workpiece component 204 is being transferred to roller 150 by the vacuum applied to roller 150, the vacuum previously holding workpiece component 204 to roller 125 having been turned off. In this manner, workpiece component 204 is literally pulled slideably off roller 125, the trailing portion of the component 204 sliding across the surface of roller 125. This action has the advantage that workpiece 204 cannot "bunch up" on roller 150 during the transfer of the component from roller 125 to roller 150 which would be the consequence if the relative high and low speeds of the two rollers were reversed.
First speed matching roller 150 is shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 as having a circumference equal to five times the length corresponding to the area under speed profile curve for roller 150. (A generalized speed profile curve is shown in FIG. 6, and will be discussed further below.) Second speed matching roller 125 has a circumference equal to three times the area under the speed profile curve for roller 125. The circumference of either roller can independently take on any integral multiple value, n, of the area under its speed profile curve, although as a practical matter, not all values are feasible. Depending upon the length of the workpiece component, of course, speed matching rollers having a value of n=1 may be of too small a diameter to easily accommodate the required vacuum elements internal to the roller. However, in those instances where the workpiece repeat length is appreciable, rollers having a circumference corresponding to n=1 may be feasible.
At the opposite extreme, rollers which have circumferences equal to a large integral multiple of the workpiece component become so large and massive that their continual acceleration and deceleration between their slower and faster dwell speeds at high machine rates places strain on their non-linear drive systems.
A generalized speed profile curve is depicted in FIG. 6. The discussion of the generalized speed profile curve shown in FIG. 6 which follows will be to speed matching roller 150 for or purposes of illustration. The higher speed L2 of FIG. 6 is specifically LPR per repeat for the final workpiece. The lower speed, designated L1 in FIG. 6, is LCR1 per repeat for workpiece component 214. The sloping portions of the curve b4 and b5 represent, respectively, the deceleration and acceleration portions of the speed profile for roller 150. As indicated by the dotted line, the actual acceleration and deceleration portions of the speed curve are not linear, but the area under the curve is equal to that bounded by the heavier solid straight lines. The area under this curve, for speed matching roller 150 then becomes simply the sum of the rectangular area bounded by the line L1 and 1 repeat, plus the area under the trapezoidal region of the speed curve bounded by the speed curve and L1. If the slow and fast speed dwell times, b3 and b2, respectively, and the acceleration and deceleration times b5 and b4, respectively, are chosen to be all equal, that is all 0.25 repeats, the area under the speed curve becomes simply the average of L2 and L1 or, specifically for roller 150, (LPR +LCR1)/2. This is the distance swept by roller 150 in one product repeat cycle.
Given this distance, the circumference (and diameter) of roller 150 can be determined with a given choice for the value n, mentioned above. That is, speed matching roller 150 can be constructed with a circumference n (LPR +LCR1)/2.
Similarly, in applying the generalized speed profile curve of FIG. 6 to speed matching roller 125, and using the analysis just presented for roller 150, the circumference of speed matching roller 125 becomes simply n (LCR1 +LCR2)/2.
Having discussed in detail the functioning of the speed matching rollers, there follows a discussion of the nature of the non-linear drive system for speed matching rollers 125 and 150.
The drives and linkages for one embodiment of a machine of the present invention are depicted in FIG. 8. Corresponding components in FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 8 are given the same reference numbers for clarity.
A variety of means can be used to drive speed matching rollers 125 and 150 in a non-linear manner, including electronically controlled servo-motors, cam-and-follower mechanisms, and non-circular gear systems. The drive system must be capable, however, of standing up to the demanding work cycle. Non-circular gear drives are preferred because of their ruggedness and long mean-time-between failure rates compared with servo-motor systems and cam-and-follower mechanisms.
The use of an independent non-circular gear drive for each speed matching rollers 125 and 150 in the embodiment of the machine illustrated in the drawing figures thus provides an inexpensive and adaptable method for driving the two speed matching rollers.
The non-circular gear drive for each speed matching roller comprises a pair of gears: a non-circular input (drive) gear and a non-circular output (driven) gear. In each case the input gear is driven by the machine line shaft at a constant rate. To provide the variable angular velocities required by the speed matching rollers, the radius of the non-circular drive or input gear varies. Moreover, since the center-to-center distance between the non-circular gears remains constant, the radius of the non-circular driven or output gear changes to correspond to the changes in radius of the non-circular input or drive gear so that the two gears remain engaged or meshed during rotation.
The respective designs of the input or drive and output or driven non-circular gears are chosen to obtain the desired output function, for examples the speed profile for a typical speed matching roller as represented in FIG. 6, discussed above.
Non-circular gears, such as those employed in the machine and process of the present invention, can be purchased from Cunningham Industries, Inc. located in Stamford, Conm., USA. Alternatively, one of ordinary skill in the mechanical engineering art can fabricate the desired set of complementary non-circular gears, provided the analytical representation of the desired output function.
For example, the design of a set of non-circular gears, as representatively shown in FIG. 7, is developed as follows. First the output function, including the required process speeds and dwells is laid out, as illustrated in FIG. 6 to determine the proper radius of the orbital path taken by the speed matching rollers. Second, the coefficients which establish the transition or acceleration/deceleration portions of the non-circular gears is computed. Once the angles, ratios, and coefficients are known, the gear center-to-center distance is chosen which follows the required radii for the non-circular gears.
The radius, R, of the orbital path is determined by first calculating the total area under the output function curve illustrated in FIG. 6:
Area=L.sub.1 +0.5(b.sub.1 +b.sub.2)(L.sub.2 -L.sub.1)      (Eqn. 1)
R=Area/2π                                               (Eqn. 2)
where R=the radius of the orbital path (mm)
Area=Area under the output function curve
L1 =The low speed of the speed matching roller driven by the output gear (i.e. the mm/repeat for the component being transferred)
L2 =The high speed of the speed matching roller driven by the output gear (i.e. the mm/repeat for the product)
b1 =Total time (repeats) during the trapezoidal portion of the output function curve
b2 =Total dwell time (repeats) at the high speed
b3 =Total dwell time (repeats) at the low speed.
Once the radius of the orbital path is determined, the ratios and gear angles for the non-circular gears are determined as follows, where the input gear is shown as 920 and the output gear as 922 in FIG. 7:
θ.sub.SLOW for the input (drive) gear=2πb.sub.3   (Eqn. 3)
θ.sub.FAST for the input (drive) gear=2πb2        (Eqn. 4)
θ.sub.ACCELERATE for the input (drive) gear=2π(b.sub.5 -b.sub.2)(Eqn. 5)
θ.sub.DECELERATE for the input (drive) gear=2π-(θ.sub.SLOW +θ.sub.FAST +θ.sub.ACCELERATE)                (Eqn. 6)
θ.sub.SLOW for the output (driven) gear=(L.sub.1 b.sub.3)/R(Eqn. 7)
θ.sub.FAST for the output (driven) gear=(L.sub.2 b.sub.2)/R(Eqn. 8)
θ.sub.ACCELERATE for the output (driven) gear=[2b.sub.5 (L.sub.1 /2+(L.sub.2 -L.sub.1)/4)]/R                               Eqn. 9)
θ.sub.DECELERATE for the output (drive) gear=2π-(θ.sub.SLOW +θ.sub.FAST +θ.sub.ACCELERATE)                (Eqn. 10)
Slow speed ratio=Y.sub.1 =(θ.sub.SLOW for the output gear)/(θ.sub.SLOW for the input gear)=L.sub.1 /2πR(Eqn. 11)
High speed ratio=Y.sub.2 =(θFAST for the output gear)/(θ.sub.FAST for the input gear)=L.sub.2 /2πR(Eqn. 12)
Once the proper gear ratios and gear angles have been determined, the coefficients which define the shape of the non-circular gears can be computed. The segments of the peripheries of the input (drive) and output (driven) gears defined by the gear angles θSLOW and θFAST in each case will define the arc of a circle to insure that the slow and fast dwell times will be of constant speed. However, the segments of the peripheries of the input and output gears for the transition regions defined by the gear angles θACCELERATE and θDECELERATE must define non-circular arcs. Noncircular gears designed using a sinusoidal function to define the acceleration and deceleration transitions have been found in practice to give good results. The equation defining the shape of the transitional part of the noncircular gears is:
η.sub.ACCLERATION =A-B cos Cθ                    (Eqn. 13)
where ηACCELERATION is the gear ratio as a function of angular position during the transition, and
A=(Y.sub.1 +Y.sub.2)/2                                     (Eqn. 14)
B=(Y.sub.2 -Y.sub.1)/2                                     (Eqn. 15)
C=2π/θ.sub.ACCELERATION for the input gear        (Eqn. 16)
The actual pitch line radius, ρ, for each noncircular gear can be determined once a choice has been made for the center-to-center distance between the two gears. The gear radii are given by:
ρ.sub.DRIVEN GEAR =D.sub.CENTER /(1+ρ.sub.ACCELERATE)(Eqn. 17)
 =D.sub.CENTER -ρ.sub.DRIVEN GEAR                      (Eqn. 18)
where ρDRIVEN GEAR =the radius of the noncircular driven gear, ρDRIVE GEAR =the radius of the non-circular drive gear, and D center=the desired or chosen center-to-center gear distance Dcc in FIG. 7.
By computing the gear ratios at intervals along the transition using Equation 13 above, a smooth curve defining the pitch line can be derived using Equations 17 and 18. The resulting smooth curve of the pitch line is used to construct a gear blank which is then used to manufacture the noncircular gears.
Referring to FIG. 8, the overall drive train for the illustrated embodiment of the machine of the present invention is illustrated schematically. Drive system 1000 drives first speed matching roller 150 and drive system 1100 drives second speed matching roller 125. Drive system 1000 comprises non-circular drive gear 1002 and non-circular driven gear 1004. Non-circular drive gear 1002 is turned at constant angular velocity of machine line shaft 1010. The driven, or output non-circular gear 1004 drives a multiplying linkage made up of drive shaft 1012, gear 1018, gear 1022 and linking gear-belt 1026. Gear 1022 drives speed matching roller 150 by means of shaft 1030. As discussed above, the circumference of speed matching roller 150 may be any feasible integral multiple, n, of the area under the designed speed profile for speed matching roller 150. This value for n then becomes the gear ratio for gears 1022 and 1018. For example, if speed matching roller 150 completes five repeats per revolution, then n=5, and the gear ratio of gear 1022 to 1018 is 5:1.
In a similar fashion, drive system 1100 comprises non-circular drive gear 1006 and non-circular driven gear 1008. Non-circular drive gear 1006 is turned at the constant angular velocity of machine line shaft 1014. The driven, or output non-circular gear 1008 drives a multiplying linkage made up of drive shaft 1016, gear 1020, gear 1024, and linking gear-belt 1028. Gear 1024 drives speed matching roller 125 by means of shaft 1032. The gear ratio for gears 1024 and 1020 in the multiplying linkage is the value of n for speed matching roller 125. As discussed above, n is any integral multiple of the area under the speed profile curve for speed matching roller 125. As shown in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, speed matching roller 125 is shown having a circumference equal to three repeats per revolution. Correspondingly, the gear ratio of gear 1024 to 1020 is 3:1.
Having discussed the design and construction of non-circular gear sets for driving the speed matching rollers, the vacuum mechanisms for holding workpiece components 204 and 214 to their respective anvil and die cut rollers and respective speed matching rollers will now be described.
Two conventional vacuum systems, well known in the art, may be used in the rollers of the machine of the invention, and are illustrated in FIGS. 9, 10, 11, and 12. FIG. 9 shows an end-view cross-section of a so-called "side-commutator" vacuum system 1200. FIG. 10 shows the vacuum system of FIG. 9 in a cross-section taken along cut line AA.
Referring to FIG. 10, the vacuum system comprises a stationary commutator 1202 and rotor 1204. The rotor 1204 has a series of tubular holes 1208 drilled into it, parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor 1204. Holes 1206, drilled radially in the rotor 1204 connect the axial tubes or holes 1208 to the outer surface of the rotor 1204. Vacuum is introduced into the commutator through entry tube 1210 in the zone between the vacuum slugs 1212.
Referring to FIG. 9, vacuum slugs 1212 block the connection of the commutator 1202 to the axial tubes 1208 in the rotor 1204 during a fraction of each rotation of the rotor 1204. Thus, vacuum is introduced into tubes 1208 of the rotor 1204 only during that portion of each rotation of the rotor 1204 designated by the arc β when no vacuum slug 1212 is interposed between the commutator 1202 and the rotor 1204. The moveable vacuum slugs 1212 determine the ends of vacuum zone defined by the arc β. The lengths of the arcs α and β can be adjusted by appropriate placement of the vacuum slugs 1212. The side-commutator system 1200 is well adapted for rollers in the machine of the invention where it is necessary only to turn on and turn off vacuum as, for example in the die cut rollers 304 and 404.
FIG. 11 shows an end-view cross section of a so-called "center commutator" vacuum system 1300. FIG. 12 shows a cross-section of the system 1300 taken along the cut line BB.
Referring to FIG. 12, the system 1300 comprises a stationary commutator made up of two sections 1302 and 1318. The upper section in FIG. 12 comprises a chamber 1308 and tube 1312 through which high vacuum is introduced into chamber 1308. The lower section 1318 of the commutator in FIG. 12 comprises a chamber 1310 into which low vacuum is introduced through tube 1314.
Referring to FIG. 11, baffles 1316 are shown which divide the commutator into three chambers: a chamber into which no vacuum is introduced, a chamber of low vacuum, and a chamber of high vacuum. These chambers correspond to the arcs α, β, and γ, respectively. Unlike the side-commutator system described above, in the center commutator system, vacuum is maintained in the low and high vacuum chambers at all times, while the radial holes 1306 in concentric rotor 1304 move past each chamber. In this way, no vacuum, low vacuum, or high vacuum is introduced to the outer surface of the rotor 1304 sequentially as the rotor 1304 turns through each revolution. The lengths of arcs α, β, and γ, are determined, and can be changed by, movement of the baffles 1316. The center-commutator system 1300, with its capability of having zones of non vacuum, low vacuum, and high vacuum, is well adapted for rollers in the machine of the invention where it is necessary to turn on and turn off vacuum, and to have regions of high vacuum as, for example in the speed matching roller 150.
While there has been shown and illustrated one embodiment of the machine of the invention for depositing and registering two workpiece components of differing length on one another and subsequently onto a constantly moving web of material, it will be readily seen by one of ordinary skill in the mechanical arts that the machine can be modified to introduce and register third, fourth, fifth, etc. workpiece components by simply introducing additional components of die cut and anvil rollers and speed matching roller assemblies either adjacent to speed matching roller 150 or into the machine downstream in the process from the corresponding elements shown. In this manner, the machine of the present invention provides an efficient and cost-effective device for manufacturing multi-component articles of manufacture where there is a need to "stack" up and register two or more workpiece components and subsequently deposit them with registration on a constantly moving web. The speed matching roller system of the invention, with its non-linear gear drive, provides a means for carrying out this operation with workpiece components of differing lengths.
The process for manufacturing an article of manufacture employing the machine of the invention will now be described by reference to drawing FIGS. 4 and 13.
Referring to FIG. 4, in the process of the invention, a web of a first material 212 passes between a first die cut roller 404 and a first anvil roller 402 to cut the web of first material into discrete first workpiece components 214 having a component length of LC1 and a repeat length between the leading edge of one cut workpiece component and the leading edge of the next successive workpiece component of LCR1. The web of first material, the first die cut roller and the first anvil roller are moving at a constant surface speed of LCR1 per repeat. The discrete workpiece components cut from the web of first material are held to the surface of the first die cut roller by vacuum means while the scrap portions, not shown in FIG. 4, of the web of first material move away from the surface of the first die cut roller.
A discrete first workpiece component 214 in the train of successive components cut from the first web is transferred to a first speed matching roller 150 which is spaced apart from the first die cut roller by a gap X of at least the uncompressed thickness of the first web of material.
As the cut discrete first workpiece component enters the gap X between the first die cut roller 404 and the first speed matching roller 150, the first speed matching roller moves at a surface speed equal to LCR1 per repeat for a dwell period A11 preferably about one-fourth workpiece repeat cycle as shown in the speed profiles of the first and second speed matching rollers in FIG. 13. During this dwell period, a portion of the length of a first cut discrete workpiece component moves into the gap X separating the first die cut roller 404 and the first speed matching roller 150 and is transferred from the die cut roller 404 to the first speed matching roller 150. The transfer is effected by turning off the vacuum means holding the first cut discrete workpiece component 214 to the first die cut roller 404 and turning on vacuum to hold the leading fractional portion of the first discrete workpiece component 214 to the first speed matching roller 150.
Following the transfer of the leading portion of a first discrete workpiece component from the first die cut roller 404 to the first speed matching roller 150, the surface speed of the first speed matching roller 150 is accelerated during a period (B11 in FIG. 13), again preferably about one-fourth workpiece repeat cycle, to a higher surface speed equal to the speed of a third web of product material 222, LPR per repeat where LPR is the distance between the leading edge of one product workpiece and the leading edge of the next following workpiece on the third product web of material.
As the first speed matching roller 150 is accelerated to its higher speed of LPR per repeat, the trailing portion of the first discrete workpiece component is pulled slideably off the slower moving surface of the first die cut roller 404, to which it is being lightly held by vacuum.
After accelerating, the first speed matching roller 150 then dwells at this higher surface speed, LPR per repeat, for a period of time, preferably about one-fourth workpiece repeat cycle (C11 in FIG. 13). Since, in the embodiment shown, first speed matching roller 150 is of a circumference equal to a multiple number of product repeats, a previously cut and registered pair of first and second workpiece components 224 is entering gap W between the first speed matching roller 150 and the moving third web of product material 222. The registered first and second cut discrete workpiece components 224, held to the surface of the first speed matching roller 150, are transferred to the third web of moving product material 222 by turning off the vacuum holding the first and second cut discrete workpiece components 224 to the first speed matching roller 150. The action of the continuous vacuum holding the third web of product material to the surface over which it is passing, adheres the pair of components 224 to the moving web.
After the dwell period (C11 in FIG. 13) at the higher linear surface speed of LPR per repeat, the first speed matching roller 150 decelerates during a period of time (D11 in FIG. 13), preferably about one-fourth workpiece repeat cycle, to a surface speed of LCR1 per repeat, and the cycle repeats.
As the first speed matching roller decelerates, the stacked, registered first and second cut discrete workpiece components 224, now resting on the moving third web of product material 222, are pulled slideably off the first speed matching roller to which they are lightly held by vacuum.
While the steps described above are occurring with regard to the first discrete workpiece components, simultaneously a web of a second material 202 passes between a second die cut roller 304 and a second anvil roller 302 to cut the web of second material 202 into discrete second workpiece components 204 having a component length of LC2, with a repeat length between the leading edge of one cut workpiece component and the next successive workpiece component of LCR2 The web of second material 202, the second die cut roller 304 and the second anvil roller 302 are moving at a constant surface speed of LCR2 per repeat where LCR2 is the distance between the leading edge of one of the second cut workpiece components and the leading edge of the next following second workpiece component as the components are being cut from the web of second material.
The discrete workpiece components 204 cut from the web of second material 202 are held to the surface of the second die cut roller 304 by vacuum means while the scrap portions of the web of second material move away from the surface of the second die cut roller.
The second die cut roller 304 and second speed matching roller 125 are spaced apart by a gap Y of at least the uncompressed thickness of the second web 202 of material. The second speed matching roller 125 moves at a slower linear surface speed equal to LCR2 per repeat for a dwell period (C12 in FIG. 13), preferably about one-fourth workpiece repeat cycle, sufficient to advance a cut discrete workpiece component 204 through the gap Y separating the second die cut roller 304 and the second speed matching roller 125. A prior cut workpiece component in the train of successive components cut from the second web of material is simultaneously moving through the gap Z between the second speed matching roller 125 and the first speed matching roller 150. The transfer is effected by turning off the vacuum means holding the second cut discrete workpiece component to the second die cut roller and turning on the vacuum to hold the leading fractional portion of the second discrete workpiece component to the second speed matching roller.
Following the transfer of the leading fractional portion of second discrete workpiece component from the second die cut roller 304 to the second speed matching roller 125, the linear surface speed of the second speed matching roller is accelerated during a period (D12 in FIG. 13), again preferably about one-fourth workpiece repeat cycle, to a higher linear surface speed equal to the slower speed of the first speed matching roller, i.e. LCR1 per repeat. During this period of acceleration, the second discrete workpiece component is pulled slideably off the surface of the second die cut roller to which it is being lightly held by vacuum.
The second speed matching roller 125 then dwells at this higher linear surface speed, LCR1 per repeat, for a period of time (A22 in FIG. 13), preferably about one-fourth workpiece repeat cycle, sufficient to advance a portion of the length of a prior cut second discrete workpiece component through the gap between the second speed matching roller 125 and the first speed matching roller 150. The first and second speed matching rollers are separated by a gap Z at least equal to the combined uncompressed thickness of the webs of first and second materials 202 and 212.
As a second cut discrete workpiece component 204, held by vacuum to the second speed matching roller, enters the gap Z between the first and second speed matching rollers, it is transferred to the first speed matching roller 150 in such a manner to overlay a first cut discrete workpiece component 214 being held by vacuum to the first speed matching roller 150.
As the leading edge of a cut discrete first workpiece component enters the gap Z between the first speed matching roller 150 and the second speed matching roller 125, the leading edge of a second discrete workpiece component 214 also enters the gap Z between the first and second speed matching rollers. The desired offset, if any, between the advancing leading edges of the first and second discrete workpiece components is adjusted by differential means driving the first and/or second die cut rollers indicated as 405 and 305 in FIG. 8.
Transfer of the second discrete workpiece component 204 from the second speed matching roller 125 to the first speed matching roller 150 is effected by turning off the vacuum holding the second workpiece component 204 to the second speed matching roller 125 and turning on high vacuum on the first speed matching roller 150 which serves to continue holding the first cut discrete workpiece component 214 to the first speed matching roller 150 while also holding the second discrete workpiece component 204, overlying the first component 214, to the first speed matching roller 150.
After this dwell period (A22 in FIG. 13) at its higher surface speed, the second speed matching roller 125 decelerates during a period of time (B22 in FIG. 13), preferably about one-fourth workpiece repeat cycle, to the surface speed, LCR2 per repeat. As the second speed matching roller 125 decelerates, the trailing portion of the second discrete workpiece component 204 is pulled slideably off the second speed matching roller 125 to which it is being lightly held by vacuum.
A web 222 of a third material is transported on an endless belt 106 moving at a constant speed Of LPR per repeat and is held to the endless belt by vacuum means. The endless belt 106 is separated from the first speed matching roller 150 by a gap W of at least the combined thickness of the uncompressed web of materials 202, 212, and 222. As the leading edges of the stacked first and second workpiece components 224 move into the gap W between the first speed matching roller 150 and the endless belt 106, the belt and the first speed matching roller are turning at the same surface speed of LPR per repeat. The first speed matching roller 150 speed dwells at this higher constant speed of LPR per repeat for a period, preferably about 1/4 workpiece repeat cycle, to move a portion of the lengths of the stacked workpiece components through the gap W separating the first speed matching roller and the endless belt. As the leading edges of the stacked workpiece components enter the gap W, the high vacuum holding the stacked components 214 to the first speed matching roller 150 is turned off. As the first speed matching roller 150 then decelerates to its slower speed of LCR1 per repeat, the faster moving endless belt 106, holding the stacked components to the third web 222 of moving material by vacuum means, pulls the stacked components 224 slideably off the first speed matching roller 150 and onto the web 222 of moving material. The overlying stacked first and second workpiece components, now held by vacuum and optional adhesive 112 to web 222 of the third material move down the process stream to subsequent operations.
Having thus described the process for cutting and stacking with registration two discrete workpiece components of different lengths and depositing them on a constantly moving web, the following example illustrates the use of the process and machine of the invention for the manufacture of a multi-layer feminine hygiene napkin.
EXAMPLE
A so-called ultrathin or "mini" napkin, suitable for use by a woman during days of light menstrual flow, is depicted schematically in plan view in FIG. 14 and in schematic side-view in FIG. 15. A thicker or so-called "maxi" napkin, suitable for use by a woman during days of higher menstrual flow, is depicted in schematic side view in FIG. 16. In FIG. 14, the elements of the napkin are shown in plan view, built up from the lowest "barrier component" to the uppermost "cover" component of the napkin. The cover component of the napkin is the component of the napkin worn closest to the user's body during use, and the barrier component is worn furthest from the user's body.
The napkin 900 depicted in FIG. 14 and described in this Example comprises a unique distribution feature which serves to disseminate, or distribute, body fluids prior to their reaching the absorbent component of the napkin in order to provide a more efficient napkin having longer service life prior to the need for its replacement and resulting greater comfort to the user. The distribution feature includes distribution and delay components not found in prior art napkins. The specific materials used for the various components of the napkin are described in detail in co-pending application Serial No. (application Ser. No. 09/072172, filed May 5, 1998), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
In this Example, specific lengths of the napkin and each component will be given to aid in understanding the invention. However, it is to be understood that the specific dimensions are cited merely for illustrative purposes and should not be read as limiting the scope of the invention as it is defined by the appended claims.
Referring to FIG. 14, the napkin 900 has, when finally cut along dashed cut line 913, a dog-bone shape and an overall length LP equal to about 300 mm. With, for example, an allowance for in-process strain of 2 percent and a scrap of 0 mm between successive finished napkins when they are cut along dashed line 913, the product repeat length LPR is 306 mm. The napkin 900 comprises an upper cover 222 which is permeable to body fluids. Cover 222 constitutes the moving web of material 222 mentioned in the general process discussion above.
Directly under the cover 222 there is a distribution component 204 of length, LC2, about 254 mm and component repeat length, LCR2, of about 260 mm fabricated of a material which serves as a wicking agent to aid in the more or less uniform distribution of body fluids to the absorbent component below.
Directly under the distribution component 204 there is a transfer delay component 214 of length, LC1, about 268 mm and component repeat length, LCR1, of about 275 mm which is somewhat less permeable to body fluids than the cover layer 222. Transfer delay component 214 acts to slightly retard the flow of body fluids to permit the distribution component 204 above to effectively carry out its wicking function prior to the passage of body fluids through to the absorbent component below.
Using the exemplary lengths of each component just recited and referring to FIG. 1, the web 222 travels at a constant linear speed of 306 mm/repeat, which is the higher speed of first speed matching roller 150 in FIG. 1 and in the general process described above.
The web of first material 212 of FIG. 1, using the exemplary dimensions of this example, travels at a linear speed of 275 mm/repeat which is the surface speed of anvil and die cut rollers 402 and 404 and the slower speed of speed matching roller 150.
The web of second material 202, the anvil and die cut rollers 302 and 304 travel at a constant surface speed of 260 mm/repeat which is also the low constant dwell speed of speed matching roller 125.
These component dimensions and speed matching roller speeds are given in Tables 1 and 2, respectively.
              TABLE 1                                                     
______________________________________                                    
Component Lengths and Web Speeds                                          
                                Component                                 
                                Repeat                                    
           Reference  Component Langth                                    
Component  Numeral    Length (mm)                                         
                                (mm)                                      
______________________________________                                    
Napkin     900         L.sub.P = 300                                      
                                 L.sub.PR = 306                           
Distribution                                                              
           204        L.sub.C2 = 254                                      
                                L.sub.CR2 = 260                           
component                                                                 
Transfer delay                                                            
           214        L.sub.C1 = 268                                      
                                L.sub.CR1 = 275                           
component                                                                 
______________________________________                                    
              TABLE 2                                                     
______________________________________                                    
Speed Matching Roller Speeds                                              
               Constant Dwell                                             
                          Constant Dwell                                  
               Low Speed  High Speed                                      
Speed Matching (mm/repeat)                                                
                          (mm/repeat)                                     
______________________________________                                    
125            260        275                                             
150            275        306                                             
______________________________________                                    
Referring again to FIG. 14, under the transfer delay component 214 there is the absorbent component 908. The barrier component 912, laying under the absorbent component 908, is typically made of a polymeric material which is not permeable to body fluids and which serves to shield the user's undergarments from staining by body fluids.
In the napkin 900 depicted in FIG. 14, the cover component is generally translucent and is typically made of a white material. To provide the consumer with visual cues that the napkin being purchased has the distribution feature mentioned above, the absorbent layer 908, transfer delay component 214 and distribution component 204 are fabricated of materials of different colors. For example, the absorbent component 908 and distribution component 204 may be white, while the transfer delay component 214 may be light blue, pink, peach, or some other pleasing color. The various components, viewed through the preferably translucent cover component 222 thus form a pleasing pattern. The cross-hatched region of the transfer delay component 214 in FIG. 14 appears as a uniform band of color through the translucent upper cover component 222. To add to the visual cues, the finished napkin 900 may be further embossed with a visual cue pattern 256.
It is highly desirable that the distribution component 204 and the transfer delay component 214 be carefully registered with respect to one another, and with the optional embossed visual cue 256. If the distribution component 204 and transfer delay component 214 are mismatched, the colored band is seen as a non-uniform band and detracts from the overall aesthetic appearance of the finished product. Moreover, if the optional embossed visual cue pattern 256 is similarly mismatched with the band of color, the overall pleasing appearance of the product is diminished.
Referring to the specific components with exemplary dimensions given above, the details of the general process for making the feminine napkin of this invention become clear with reference to FIG. 1.
A web of cover material 222 for the napkin 900 is fed to the machine of the invention at a constant speed of LP per repeat or 306 mm/repeat. A web of first material 214 from which the transfer delay components 214 are cut is fed to the pair of die cut and anvil rollers 402 and 404 at a constant speed of LCR1 per repeat, or 275 mm/repeat. A web 202 of second material is fed to anvil and die cut rollers 302 and 304 at a constant linear speed of LCR2 per repeat, or 260 mm/repeat to be cut into distribution components 204.
The transfer delay 214 and distribution components 204 components are mated and registered by means of the speed transfer rollers 125 and 150 and transferred to the moving web of cover material 222. Speed matching rollers 125 and 150 repeatedly undergo acceleration to their respective higher constant dwell speeds of 275 mm/repeat and 306 mm/repeat, and deceleration to their respective low dwell speeds of 260 mm/repeat and 275 mm/repeat in a cyclical pattern which is 180° out of phase. By "180° out of phase" is meant that, as shown in FIG. 13, when speed matching roller 150 is moving at its highest dwell speed, roller 125 is moving at its lower dwell speed. Similarly speed matching roller 150 is moving at its lower dwell speed, roller 125 is moving at its higher dwell speed. In this manner, the components are controllably registered by mating them at a matched speed
A spray or slot coat application of adhesive 112 is optionally made to the moving web of cover material, preferably in a pin-stripe pattern, to aid in holding the components to the web of cover material after they leave the region of vacuum. The adhesive also serves to hold the stacked distribution 204 and transfer delay 214 components to the web 222 of cover material and constantly moving web 106.
As shown in FIG. 1, embossing and anvil rollers 602 and 604 apply an optional embossed visual cue pattern 256 to the partially finished napkin. Downstream operations in the process, not shown, apply the barrier component 912, the light adhesive which serves to attach the napkin to a woman's undergarment, and the peel strip, all shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. In the "maxi" napkin shown in FIG. 16, a downstream operation in the process, also not shown, inserts an additional absorbent or superabsorbent pleget component 918 into the napkin prior to the addition of the barrier component 912, garment adhesive 914 and peel strip 916.
While there have been shown and exemplified preferred embodiments of the machine and process of the present invention, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that various departures may be made from the preferred embodiments of both the machine and process without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (11)

What is claimed is:
1. A process for manufacturing a multi-component workpiece comprising at least two components cut from moving webs of material, registering the components with respect to one another, and depositing the registered components on a web of moving material comprising the steps of:
a) cutting from a web of first material, moving at a first web speed, first discrete workpiece components having a length LC1 and a repeat cut length between the leading edge of one discrete workpiece component and the leading edge of the immediately following workpiece component of LCR1 ;
b) cutting from a web of second material, moving at a second web speed, second discrete workpiece components having a length LC2 and a repeat cut length between the leading edge of one discrete workpiece component and the leading edge of the immediately following workpiece component of LCR2 ;
c) transferring one of the first discrete workpiece components to a first receiving surface moving, for a fraction of one product workpiece repeat cycle, at a first constant dwell speed equal to the speed of said first moving web of material;
d) transferring one of the second discrete workpiece components to a second receiving surface moving, for a fraction of one product workpiece repeat cycle, at a first constant dwell speed equal to the speed of said second moving web of material;
e) adjusting the speed of said second receiving surface bearing said second discrete workpiece component to move, for a fraction of one product workpiece repeat cycle, at a second constant dwell speed matching that of the first constant dwell speed of said first receiving surface;
f) transferring, with registration, the second discrete workpiece component from said second receiving surface to said first receiving surface during the fraction of the product workpiece repeat cycle that the constant dwell speeds of said first and second receiving surfaces are matched, to overlay said first discrete workpiece component with registration on said first receiving surface;
g) adjusting the speed of said first receiving surface bearing said second discrete workpiece component overlaying said first discrete workpiece component to move at a second constant dwell speed, during a fraction of one product workpiece repeat cycle, to match that of a third moving web of material;
h) transferring the mated and registered said first and second discrete workpiece components to said third moving web of material during a fraction of product workpiece repeat cycle that the constant dwell speeds of said first receiving surface and said third web of material are matched;
i) readjusting the speed of said first receiving surface, during a fraction of one product workpiece repeat cycle and following transfer of the mated and registered first and second discrete workpiece components to said third web of material, to move at said first constant dwell speed of said first receiving surface; and
j) readjusting the speed of said second receiving surface to move, during a fraction of one product workpiece repeat cycle and following transfer of the second discrete workpiece component to said first receiving surface, at said first constant dwell speed of said second receiving surface.
2. The process according to claim 1 wherein said fractions of one product workpiece repeat cycle during which said first and second receiving surfaces are moving at their respective first and second constant dwells speeds and during which the speeds of said first and second receiving surfaces are readjusted between their respective first and second constant dwell speeds comprise equal portions of one product workpiece repeat cycle.
3. The process according to claim 2 wherein said equal portions of one product workpiece repeat cycle comprise one-fourth product workpiece repeat cycle.
4. A process according to claim 1 wherein said first, second, and third webs of material move at constant, but independent speeds.
5. A process according to claim 1 wherein said length, LC2, of said second discrete workpiece component is less than that of the length, LC1, of said first discrete workpiece component.
6. A process according to claim 5 wherein said second discrete workpiece component overlays and is registered with respect to said first discrete workpiece component to leave a band of said first discrete workpiece component protruding around the periphery of said second discrete workpiece component.
7. A process according to claim 6 wherein said third web of material comprises a semi-transparent material.
8. The process according to claim 7 wherein said second discrete workpiece component overlays and is registered with respect to said first discrete workpiece component to leave a band of said first discrete workpiece component protruding around the periphery of said second discrete workpiece component and visible through said semi-transparent material comprising said web of third material.
9. The process according to claim 1 wherein said first, second, and third webs of material are of independently selected colors.
10. The process according to claim 9 wherein said second discrete workpiece component overlays and is registered with respect to said first discrete workpiece component to leave a band of color of said first discrete workpiece component protruding around the periphery of said second discrete workpiece component and visible through a semi-transparent material comprising said web of third material.
11. The process according to claim 10 wherein said second discrete workpiece component overlays and is symmetrically registered with respect to said first discrete workpiece component to leave a symmetrical band of color of said first discrete workpiece component protruding around the periphery of said second discrete workpiece component.
US09/088,354 1998-06-01 1998-06-01 Process and apparatus for cutting of discrete components of a multi-component workpiece and depositing them with registration on a moving web of material Expired - Lifetime US6165306A (en)

Priority Applications (12)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/088,354 US6165306A (en) 1998-06-01 1998-06-01 Process and apparatus for cutting of discrete components of a multi-component workpiece and depositing them with registration on a moving web of material
CA002330679A CA2330679C (en) 1998-06-01 1999-05-24 Process and apparatus for cutting of discrete components of a multi-component workpiece and depositing them with registration on a moving web of material
DE69916850T DE69916850T2 (en) 1998-06-01 1999-05-24 METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CUTTING DISCRETE COMPONENTS FROM A MULTI-COMPONENT WORKPIECE AND THEIR REGISTER-RELATED ATTACHMENT ON A CONTINUOUS MATERIAL
JP2000552026A JP4243429B2 (en) 1998-06-01 1999-05-24 Method and apparatus for aligning and placing individual parts of a multi-part workpiece on a raw material web for cutting and moving
KR10-2000-7013514A KR100522990B1 (en) 1998-06-01 1999-05-24 Process and Apparatus for Cutting of Discrete Components of a Multi-Component Workpiece and Depositing Them with Registration on a Moving Web of Material
PCT/US1999/011437 WO1999062801A2 (en) 1998-06-01 1999-05-24 Process and apparatus for cutting of discrete components of a multi-component workpiece and depositing them with registration on a moving web of material
EP99925785A EP1102716B1 (en) 1998-06-01 1999-05-24 Process and apparatus for cutting of discrete components of a multi-component workpiece and depositing them with registration on a moving web of material
AU42003/99A AU4200399A (en) 1998-06-01 1999-05-24 Process and apparatus for cutting of discrete components of a multi-component workpiece and depositing them with registration on a moving web of material
CO99033612A CO4880806A1 (en) 1998-06-01 1999-05-31 PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR CUTTING DISCRETE COMPONENTS FROM A WORKPIECE OF MULTIPLE COMPONENTS AND DEPOSIT THEM CORRESPONDINGLY ON A MOVING MATERIAL FABRIC
ARP990102592A AR018433A1 (en) 1998-06-01 1999-06-01 A PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING A WORK PIECE OF MULTIPLE COMPONENTS, A METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING AN ABSORBENT ARTICLE AND THE MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING WORK DIP
US09/669,914 US6520236B1 (en) 1998-06-01 2000-09-25 Process and apparatus for cutting of discrete components of a multi-component workpiece and depositing them with registration on a moving web of material
US09/669,915 US6527902B1 (en) 1998-06-01 2000-09-25 Process and apparatus for cutting of discrete components of a multi-component workpiece and depositing them with registration on a moving web of material

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/088,354 US6165306A (en) 1998-06-01 1998-06-01 Process and apparatus for cutting of discrete components of a multi-component workpiece and depositing them with registration on a moving web of material

Related Child Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/669,914 Division US6520236B1 (en) 1998-06-01 2000-09-25 Process and apparatus for cutting of discrete components of a multi-component workpiece and depositing them with registration on a moving web of material
US09/669,915 Division US6527902B1 (en) 1998-06-01 2000-09-25 Process and apparatus for cutting of discrete components of a multi-component workpiece and depositing them with registration on a moving web of material

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US6165306A true US6165306A (en) 2000-12-26

Family

ID=22210894

Family Applications (3)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/088,354 Expired - Lifetime US6165306A (en) 1998-06-01 1998-06-01 Process and apparatus for cutting of discrete components of a multi-component workpiece and depositing them with registration on a moving web of material
US09/669,915 Expired - Lifetime US6527902B1 (en) 1998-06-01 2000-09-25 Process and apparatus for cutting of discrete components of a multi-component workpiece and depositing them with registration on a moving web of material
US09/669,914 Expired - Lifetime US6520236B1 (en) 1998-06-01 2000-09-25 Process and apparatus for cutting of discrete components of a multi-component workpiece and depositing them with registration on a moving web of material

Family Applications After (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/669,915 Expired - Lifetime US6527902B1 (en) 1998-06-01 2000-09-25 Process and apparatus for cutting of discrete components of a multi-component workpiece and depositing them with registration on a moving web of material
US09/669,914 Expired - Lifetime US6520236B1 (en) 1998-06-01 2000-09-25 Process and apparatus for cutting of discrete components of a multi-component workpiece and depositing them with registration on a moving web of material

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (3) US6165306A (en)
EP (1) EP1102716B1 (en)
JP (1) JP4243429B2 (en)
KR (1) KR100522990B1 (en)
AR (1) AR018433A1 (en)
AU (1) AU4200399A (en)
CA (1) CA2330679C (en)
CO (1) CO4880806A1 (en)
DE (1) DE69916850T2 (en)
WO (1) WO1999062801A2 (en)

Cited By (70)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20020023723A1 (en) * 2000-07-21 2002-02-28 Blumenthal Jeffrey H. Method and apparatus utilizing servo motors for placing parts onto a moving web
US6503233B1 (en) 1998-10-02 2003-01-07 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent article having good body fit under dynamic conditions
US6524423B1 (en) * 2000-03-07 2003-02-25 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method of transferring a discrete portion of a first web onto a second web
US20030066609A1 (en) * 2001-10-05 2003-04-10 Calvert Mickey W. Apparatus and method for assembling absorbent garments
US6550517B1 (en) 2000-03-07 2003-04-22 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Apparatus for transferring a discrete portion of a first web onto a second web
US6562192B1 (en) 1998-10-02 2003-05-13 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent articles with absorbent free-flowing particles and methods for producing the same
US6561248B2 (en) * 2001-04-06 2003-05-13 Japan Servo Co., Ltd. Lamination system
US6585846B1 (en) * 2000-11-22 2003-07-01 3M Innovative Properties Company Rotary converting apparatus and method for laminated products and packaging
US20030153891A1 (en) * 2002-02-14 2003-08-14 Molee Kenneth John Multifunctional disposal tape on an absorbent article
US20030150551A1 (en) * 2002-02-14 2003-08-14 Andrew Baker Dry formed composite with cut and place layers
US6645330B2 (en) 2002-01-03 2003-11-11 Paragon Trade Brands, Inc. Method of making disposable absorbent article having graphics using ultrasonic thermal imaging
EP1247508A3 (en) * 2001-04-03 2003-11-26 McNEIL-PPC, INC. Discreet absorbent article
US6667424B1 (en) 1998-10-02 2003-12-23 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent articles with nits and free-flowing particles
US20040007318A1 (en) * 2002-07-15 2004-01-15 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Apparatus and method for cutting and placing limp pieces of material
US20040028268A1 (en) * 2002-08-07 2004-02-12 Popp Robert L. Web guiding system and method
US20040030432A1 (en) * 2002-08-07 2004-02-12 Popp Robert L. Autosetpoint registration control system and method associated with a web converting manufacturing process
US20040030514A1 (en) * 2002-08-07 2004-02-12 Popp Robert L. System and method for identifying and exploiting quality information associated with a web converting manufacturing process
US20040074052A1 (en) * 2002-10-16 2004-04-22 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Fiber blending apparatus and method
US20040077474A1 (en) * 2002-10-16 2004-04-22 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method and apparatus for wrapping pads
US20040074053A1 (en) * 2002-10-16 2004-04-22 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Apparatus and method for forming a layer of blended fibers into a continuous web
US20040083018A1 (en) * 2002-08-07 2004-04-29 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Autosetpoint registration control system and method associated with a web converting manufacturing process
US20040110618A1 (en) * 2002-10-16 2004-06-10 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method and apparatus for making pads
US20040127875A1 (en) * 2002-12-18 2004-07-01 The Procter & Gamble Company Sanitary napkin for clean body benefit
US6763749B2 (en) 2002-01-15 2004-07-20 The Procter & Gamble Company Web speed metering apparatus and method
US6801828B2 (en) 2002-08-07 2004-10-05 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Web guiding system and method
US6814217B2 (en) * 2000-02-02 2004-11-09 The Procter And Gamble Company Method and apparatus utilizing servo motors for placing parts onto a moving web
US6829516B2 (en) 2002-08-07 2004-12-07 Kimberly-Clark Worlwide, Inc. Combined information exchange systems and methods
US6830172B2 (en) 2001-10-26 2004-12-14 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Apparatus and method for feeding string
US6845278B2 (en) 2002-08-07 2005-01-18 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Product attribute data mining in connection with a web converting manufacturing process
US6869386B2 (en) 2002-06-26 2005-03-22 The Procter & Gamble Company Method for manufacturing discrete articles from a material web using synchronized servo-actuated operational units
US6904330B2 (en) 2002-08-07 2005-06-07 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Manufacturing information and troubleshooting system and method
US20050236765A1 (en) * 2002-08-30 2005-10-27 Pemeas Gmbh Method and apparatus for transferring thin films from a source position to a target position
US6971981B2 (en) 2002-10-16 2005-12-06 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method and apparatus for making interlabial pads
US7017820B1 (en) * 2001-02-08 2006-03-28 James Brunner Machine and process for manufacturing a label with a security element
US20060069367A1 (en) * 2004-09-29 2006-03-30 Andrew Waksmundzki Absorbent core having two or more types of superabsorbent
US7130710B2 (en) 2002-08-07 2006-10-31 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. System and method for tracking and exploiting per station information from a multiple repeat manufacturing device
US7130709B2 (en) 2002-08-07 2006-10-31 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Manufacturing information and alarming system and method
CN1303956C (en) * 2001-09-28 2007-03-14 强生株式会社 Device for cutting bandage and gluing article to adhesive tape
US20080060751A1 (en) * 2006-09-07 2008-03-13 Evan Arrindell Island label apparatus and method
US7758485B2 (en) 2002-10-16 2010-07-20 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Pad folding system and method
ITBO20090138A1 (en) * 2009-03-09 2010-09-10 Gdm Spa DEVICE AND METHOD FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ABSORBENT PADDING FOR INTIMATE HYGIENIC ITEMS AND PLANT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INTIMATE HYGIENIC ITEMS INCLUDING THE DEVICE.
US20100319837A1 (en) * 2009-06-21 2010-12-23 Irwin Jere F Thermoformable Web Splicer and Method
US8100253B2 (en) 2009-06-30 2012-01-24 The Procter & Gamble Company Methods and apparatuses for transferring discrete articles between carriers
WO2013057600A1 (en) * 2011-10-19 2013-04-25 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method of separating a discrete portion from a web
CN103079507A (en) * 2010-08-30 2013-05-01 尤妮佳股份有限公司 Method for manufacturing composite for continuous sheet used in absorbent articles, manufacturing apparatus, and method for manufacturing absorbent article
US20130296149A1 (en) * 2012-05-01 2013-11-07 The Procter & Gamble Company Methods and Apparatuses for Transferring Absorbent Articles and Rejecting Defective Absorbent Articles
US20130296148A1 (en) * 2012-05-01 2013-11-07 The Procter & Gamble Company Methods and Apparatuses for Rejecting Defective Absorbent Articles from a Converting Line
US20130305511A1 (en) * 2012-05-18 2013-11-21 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Apparatus and method for attaching discrete web segments
US8607959B2 (en) 2012-04-16 2013-12-17 The Procter & Gamble Company Rotational assemblies and methods for transferring discrete articles
US20140000397A1 (en) * 2012-06-29 2014-01-02 Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. Constant to variable gear pitch for temperature door rotation
US8720666B2 (en) 2012-04-16 2014-05-13 The Procter & Gamble Company Apparatuses for transferring discrete articles
US8820513B2 (en) 2012-04-16 2014-09-02 The Procter & Gamble Company Methods for transferring discrete articles
US8833542B2 (en) 2012-04-16 2014-09-16 The Procter & Gamble Company Fluid systems and methods for transferring discrete articles
US8914140B2 (en) 2012-05-24 2014-12-16 The Procter & Gamble Company System and method for manufacturing using a virtual frame of reference
US9066837B2 (en) 2009-10-30 2015-06-30 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent article with annular absorbent member
US9266314B2 (en) 2012-10-23 2016-02-23 The Procter & Gamble Company Carrier members or transfer surfaces having a resilient member
EP2626050B1 (en) * 2012-01-16 2016-04-13 Bikoma GmbH Spezialmaschinen Method and device for producing a laminate and hygiene product
US9428343B2 (en) 2015-01-02 2016-08-30 The Procter & Gamble Company Apparatuses for transferring articles and methods of making the same
US9463942B2 (en) 2013-09-24 2016-10-11 The Procter & Gamble Company Apparatus for positioning an advancing web
US9475654B2 (en) 2015-01-02 2016-10-25 The Procter & Gamble Company Apparatuses for transferring articles and methods of making the same
US9511952B1 (en) 2015-06-23 2016-12-06 The Procter & Gamble Company Methods for transferring discrete articles
US9511951B1 (en) 2015-06-23 2016-12-06 The Procter & Gamble Company Methods for transferring discrete articles
US9649233B2 (en) 2012-04-25 2017-05-16 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent personal care articles having longitudinally oriented layers in discrete portions
US20170165860A1 (en) * 2015-12-14 2017-06-15 Harro Hoefliger Verpackungsmaschinen Gmbh Device for releasing sections from a material web
US9682830B2 (en) 2015-01-02 2017-06-20 The Procter & Gamble Company Apparatuses for transferring articles and methods of making the same
US9844476B2 (en) 2014-03-18 2017-12-19 The Procter & Gamble Company Sanitary napkin for clean body benefit
US9861534B2 (en) 2012-05-24 2018-01-09 The Procter & Gamble Company System and method for manufacturing using a virtual frame of reference
US10213347B2 (en) 2012-12-04 2019-02-26 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent article with an apertured multi-layered topsheet
US20190232512A1 (en) * 2016-06-21 2019-08-01 3M Innovative Properties Company Conversion and application of material strips
CN113164653A (en) * 2019-03-07 2021-07-23 特利亚生物技术有限公司 Method for preparing tissue for regeneration of biocompatible tissue

Families Citing this family (43)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6059710A (en) * 1998-12-24 2000-05-09 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Process for cutting of discrete components of a multi-component workpiece and depositing them with registration on a moving web of material
US6074333A (en) * 1998-12-24 2000-06-13 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Machine for cutting discrete components of a multi-component workpiece and depositing them with registration on a moving web of material
DE20013543U1 (en) * 1999-08-06 2000-11-30 Fofitec Ag Dottikon Form with removable or removable card and device for dispensing parts of a donation material on or in a moving print medium
WO2002007664A2 (en) * 2000-07-21 2002-01-31 The Procter & Gamble Company Method and apparatus utilizing servo motors for placing parts onto a moving web
US7402157B2 (en) 2001-12-19 2008-07-22 The Procter & Gamble Company Absorbent article having perception of depth
US7432009B2 (en) * 2002-04-03 2008-10-07 3M Innovative Properties Company Lamination apparatus and methods
US20040077473A1 (en) * 2002-10-16 2004-04-22 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method and apparatus for making pads
EP1574194B1 (en) * 2004-03-10 2010-01-13 The Procter & Gamble Company Process and apparatus for making individually packaged disposable absorbent articles
DE602005022650D1 (en) * 2004-04-26 2010-09-16 Rohm & Haas Elect Mat Improved plating process
MXPA06013177A (en) 2004-05-14 2007-02-14 Quill Medical Inc Suture methods and devices.
CA2504057C (en) * 2005-04-14 2008-12-30 Anatoly Arov Selective leverage technique and devices
US10456302B2 (en) 2006-05-18 2019-10-29 Curt G. Joa, Inc. Methods and apparatus for application of nested zero waste ear to traveling web
US9433538B2 (en) 2006-05-18 2016-09-06 Curt G. Joa, Inc. Methods and apparatus for application of nested zero waste ear to traveling web and formation of articles using a dual cut slip unit
US9550306B2 (en) 2007-02-21 2017-01-24 Curt G. Joa, Inc. Single transfer insert placement and apparatus with cross-direction insert placement control
US9944487B2 (en) 2007-02-21 2018-04-17 Curt G. Joa, Inc. Single transfer insert placement method and apparatus
US20080255612A1 (en) 2007-04-13 2008-10-16 Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Self-retaining systems for surgical procedures
US20080289753A1 (en) * 2007-05-23 2008-11-27 Bauer Richard K Method of making composite webs of record members and record members made thereby
EP2100730A1 (en) 2008-03-14 2009-09-16 Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast- natuurwetenschappelijk onderzoek TNO Laminating device and laminating method
IT1391867B1 (en) * 2008-10-30 2012-01-27 Fameccanica Data Spa DEVICE AND PROCEDURE FOR REALIZING SANITARY PRODUCTS
IT1399148B1 (en) * 2009-03-09 2013-04-11 Gdm Spa PLANT FOR THE REALIZATION OF INTIMATE HYGIENIC ARTOCULES.
US9089453B2 (en) 2009-12-30 2015-07-28 Curt G. Joa, Inc. Method for producing absorbent article with stretch film side panel and application of intermittent discrete components of an absorbent article
US20110245056A1 (en) * 2010-03-31 2011-10-06 Tamarack Products, Inc. Rigid window applicator and method
US20120157279A1 (en) * 2010-12-20 2012-06-21 Uwe Schneider Process and Apparatus for Joining Flexible Components
US8656817B2 (en) 2011-03-09 2014-02-25 Curt G. Joa Multi-profile die cutting assembly
US8820380B2 (en) 2011-07-21 2014-09-02 Curt G. Joa, Inc. Differential speed shafted machines and uses therefor, including discontinuous and continuous side by side bonding
PL2628472T3 (en) 2012-02-20 2016-07-29 Joa Curt G Inc Method of forming bonds between discrete components of disposable articles
US9809414B2 (en) 2012-04-24 2017-11-07 Curt G. Joa, Inc. Elastic break brake apparatus and method for minimizing broken elastic rethreading
WO2014035485A1 (en) * 2012-08-30 2014-03-06 Columbia Sportswear North America, Inc. Method and apparatus for cutting of fabric
ITBO20130174A1 (en) 2013-04-17 2014-10-18 Gdm Spa MACHINE AND METHOD FOR THE REALIZATION OF HYGIENIC ABSORBENT ITEMS.
US9283683B2 (en) 2013-07-24 2016-03-15 Curt G. Joa, Inc. Ventilated vacuum commutation structures
USD703247S1 (en) 2013-08-23 2014-04-22 Curt G. Joa, Inc. Ventilated vacuum commutation structure
USD704237S1 (en) 2013-08-23 2014-05-06 Curt G. Joa, Inc. Ventilated vacuum commutation structure
USD703248S1 (en) 2013-08-23 2014-04-22 Curt G. Joa, Inc. Ventilated vacuum commutation structure
USD703712S1 (en) 2013-08-23 2014-04-29 Curt G. Joa, Inc. Ventilated vacuum commutation structure
USD703711S1 (en) 2013-08-23 2014-04-29 Curt G. Joa, Inc. Ventilated vacuum communication structure
US9289329B1 (en) 2013-12-05 2016-03-22 Curt G. Joa, Inc. Method for producing pant type diapers
CA2991328C (en) 2015-07-24 2021-10-26 Curt G. Joa, Inc. Vacuum commutation apparatus and methods
WO2019200089A1 (en) 2018-04-11 2019-10-17 The Procter & Gamble Company Folded disposable absorbent articles
CN111867539A (en) 2018-04-11 2020-10-30 宝洁公司 Absorbent article and method of making the same
US11737930B2 (en) 2020-02-27 2023-08-29 Curt G. Joa, Inc. Configurable single transfer insert placement method and apparatus
WO2021206591A1 (en) * 2020-04-06 2021-10-14 Essity Hygiene And Health Aktiebolag A method for transferring one or more cut-out nonwoven material members for use in an absorbent article
CN111923144A (en) * 2020-08-05 2020-11-13 苏州安洁科技股份有限公司 Automatic scanning alignment punching process
CN112741727B (en) * 2020-12-29 2023-10-31 露乐健康科技股份有限公司 Absorbent core for sanitary towel, sanitary towel and preparation method of absorbent core

Citations (102)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US29365A (en) * 1860-07-31 Hoeseshoe-machine
US2254217A (en) * 1937-04-03 1941-09-02 Champlain Corp Method and means for applying patches to foundation material
US2958365A (en) * 1953-05-29 1960-11-01 Molins Machine Co Ltd Apparatus for feeding and laminating strip material in desired spaced relationship
US3139243A (en) * 1962-10-11 1964-06-30 Compensation Tension Controls Tension compensating control device
US3146152A (en) * 1961-05-31 1964-08-25 G D Sas Di Enzo Seragnoli & Ar Machine for applying tear-strips upon a web of wrapping material
US3516891A (en) * 1965-11-23 1970-06-23 Kimberly Clark Co Apparatus for applying film to blanks
US3537934A (en) * 1967-02-11 1970-11-03 Kronseder Hermann Label feeder with variable speed drive
US3582437A (en) * 1968-07-15 1971-06-01 Berkley Machine Co Apparatus for the high speed application of patches to envelope blanks
US3645463A (en) * 1969-10-06 1972-02-29 Champion Paper Products Co Web-splicing apparatus
US3728191A (en) * 1971-03-19 1973-04-17 Kimberly Clark Co Waistband tape application for disposable diapers
US3746599A (en) * 1970-01-29 1973-07-17 Agfa Gevaert Nv Butt splicer for butt-joining a fresh web to a running web
US3758367A (en) * 1968-11-19 1973-09-11 Moelnlycke Ab An article o a moving support surface in the form of a continuous web a sheet orapparatus for applying adhesive tape particulare self adhesive tape t
FR2203358A5 (en) 1972-10-13 1974-05-10 Baele Gangloff Ste Nouvelle
US3835756A (en) * 1972-10-04 1974-09-17 Windmoeller & Hoelscher Bag-making machine
US3858819A (en) * 1972-10-24 1975-01-07 Butler Automatic Inc Web supply apparatus
US3879246A (en) * 1972-09-11 1975-04-22 Robert J Walker Laminating apparatus and method
US3886031A (en) * 1974-06-10 1975-05-27 Compensating Tension Controls Web lap splicer
US3904147A (en) * 1974-08-14 1975-09-09 Compensating Tension Controls Spring system assembly for tension compensating control device
US3918655A (en) * 1973-11-08 1975-11-11 Champion Edison Inc Web-splicing apparatus
US3939032A (en) * 1974-12-27 1976-02-17 Compensating Tension Controls, Inc. Web butt splicer
US3957570A (en) * 1971-10-13 1976-05-18 F. L. Smithe Machine Company, Inc. Machinery for patching envelopes and the like
US3963557A (en) * 1974-05-28 1976-06-15 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Article transferring apparatus
US3995791A (en) * 1975-07-09 1976-12-07 Package Machinery Company Continuous web supply system
US4010911A (en) * 1974-12-06 1977-03-08 Hauni-Werke Korber & Co., Kg Splicing apparatus for webs of metallic foil or the like
US4021293A (en) * 1975-11-07 1977-05-03 Stackpole Machinery Company High speed labeling machine
USRE29365E (en) 1972-10-24 1977-08-23 Butler Automatic, Inc. Web supply apparatus
US4045275A (en) * 1975-09-04 1977-08-30 Stohlquist Roger H Machine for applying tapes to moving product
US4061527A (en) * 1977-04-12 1977-12-06 Moore Business Forms, Inc. Apparatus for applying patches to a continuous web
US4083737A (en) * 1976-04-19 1978-04-11 Eastman Kodak Company Method and apparatus for attaching a strip of material transversely of a moving web
US4120739A (en) * 1975-11-19 1978-10-17 Agfa-Gevaert, N.V. Butt splicer for butt-joining a fresh web to a progressing web
US4157934A (en) * 1977-07-18 1979-06-12 Compensating Tension Controls, Inc. Low tension lap slicer unit
US4190483A (en) * 1977-03-15 1980-02-26 Compensating Tension Controls, Inc. Butt splicer
US4190475A (en) * 1978-05-16 1980-02-26 Marquip, Inc. Paper roll web splicing
US4261782A (en) * 1980-02-08 1981-04-14 Riegel Textile Corporation Apparatus for attaching elastic strips during the manufacture of elastic leg disposable diapers
US4262855A (en) * 1980-04-14 1981-04-21 Champion-Edison, Inc. Web-splicing apparatus
US4309236A (en) * 1980-02-08 1982-01-05 Riegel Textile Corporation Process for attaching elastic strips during the manufacture of elastic leg disposable diapers
US4364787A (en) * 1980-08-22 1982-12-21 Curt G. Joa, Inc. Apparatus for applying elastic ribbon segments to diapers
US4371417A (en) * 1981-10-01 1983-02-01 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Differentially stretched elastic
US4374576A (en) * 1981-02-02 1983-02-22 Compensating Tension Controls, Inc. Semi-automatic roll winding machine
US4394898A (en) * 1981-04-23 1983-07-26 Paper Converting Machine Company Method and apparatus for providing balanced stacks of diapers
US4404058A (en) * 1981-04-17 1983-09-13 O.C.E.A. S.R.L. Rotary sector device turning at a variable angular speed suitable for the withdrawal and transferring of labels in automatic labelling machines
US4443291A (en) * 1981-04-15 1984-04-17 Reed Barrie T Flying splice apparatus
US4455190A (en) * 1983-04-20 1984-06-19 Butler Automatic Inc. Web splicer
US4481053A (en) * 1981-09-30 1984-11-06 Rengo Co., Ltd. Method and apparatus for splicing web
US4525229A (en) * 1982-12-15 1985-06-25 Unicharm Corporation Method for attaching elastic band to sanitary articles
US4572043A (en) * 1983-10-12 1986-02-25 Fameccanica S.P.A. Method and apparatus for forming elastic elements under tension from a continuous elastic web, particularly for manufacturing sanitary products such as disposable diapers and the like
US4578133A (en) * 1984-11-19 1986-03-25 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Method and apparatus for applying discrete strips to a web of material
US4608115A (en) * 1984-04-23 1986-08-26 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Revolving transfer roll
US4610751A (en) * 1983-10-21 1986-09-09 Paul Hartmann Aktiengesellschaft Apparatus for separating and applying of sections of strips on areas of a material web lying at a distance one behind the other
US4617082A (en) * 1984-11-19 1986-10-14 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Method and apparatus for applying discrete strips to a web of material
US4645554A (en) * 1984-08-14 1987-02-24 Stork Brabant B.V. Apparatus and method for adhering successive webs by means of adhesive applied to a predetermined side thereof
US4719855A (en) * 1986-08-01 1988-01-19 Sonoco Products Company Computer controlled web feed method, apparatus and system for web treatment apparatus such as rotary die cutter
US4726876A (en) * 1985-10-18 1988-02-23 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Apparatus for repositioning discrete articles
US4762582A (en) * 1983-03-25 1988-08-09 Boussac Saint Freres B.S.F. Continuous process for the manufacture of disposable diapers
US4767487A (en) * 1985-10-18 1988-08-30 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Method for repositioning discrete articles
US4769098A (en) * 1987-09-10 1988-09-06 Martin Automatic, Inc. Apparatus and method for forming a butt splice
US4776920A (en) * 1988-03-14 1988-10-11 Compensating Tension Controls, Inc. Running web splicing apparatus
US4776911A (en) * 1986-06-30 1988-10-11 Toyo Eizai Kabushiki Kaisha Elasticized unit, apparatus for making the elasticized unit, garments incorporating the units, and method for making the garment
US4786346A (en) * 1985-10-28 1988-11-22 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Method for applying contoured elastic to a substrate
US4795510A (en) * 1987-09-11 1989-01-03 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Process for applying reinforcing material to a diaper cover material
US4801342A (en) * 1986-09-12 1989-01-31 Martin Automatic Inc. Method and apparatus for forming a butt splice
US4880178A (en) * 1988-08-04 1989-11-14 Mobil Oil Corporation Roll unwind butt splicer
US4923546A (en) * 1986-09-12 1990-05-08 Martin Automatic Inc. Method and apparatus for forming a butt splice
US4987940A (en) * 1988-08-19 1991-01-29 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Cross web layer application device
US4995939A (en) * 1987-05-04 1991-02-26 Magyar Tudomanyos Akademia Muszaki Fizikai Kutato Intezete Method and apparatus for determining the layer thickness of semiconductor layer structures
US5021111A (en) * 1988-08-31 1991-06-04 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Apparatus and method for applying heat-sensitive adhesive tape to a web moving at high speed
US5030311A (en) * 1989-10-02 1991-07-09 Eastman Kodak Company Method and apparatus for taping lead and tail ends of web during winding onto a core
US5041073A (en) * 1989-05-10 1991-08-20 501 Maschinenfabrik Alfred Schmermund GmbH & Co. Apparatus for cutting off and applying tear-off strips to a web of packaging material
US5066346A (en) * 1990-01-26 1991-11-19 Eastman Kodak Company Apparatus and method for splicing webs of indeterminate length
US5091039A (en) * 1987-08-18 1992-02-25 Uni-Charm Corporation Method and apparatus for applying elastic band onto moving web
US5102485A (en) * 1989-02-01 1992-04-07 International Paper Company Apparatus for continuous feeding and synchronized application of fitments to carton blanks and related method
US5102486A (en) * 1991-01-09 1992-04-07 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Loop applying assembly
US5122216A (en) * 1989-02-15 1992-06-16 Goodwin Graphics, Inc. Multi-ply mailer form and method of manufacture therefor
US5127981A (en) * 1988-08-19 1992-07-07 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Cross web layer application device
US5131593A (en) * 1989-09-08 1992-07-21 Maschinenfabrik Alfred Schmermund Gmbh & Co. Splicing technique and apparatus
US5200020A (en) * 1992-02-18 1993-04-06 Philip Morris Incorporated Apparatus and method for laminating patches of a first web material onto a second web material
US5235515A (en) * 1992-02-07 1993-08-10 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Method and apparatus for controlling the cutting and placement of components on a moving substrate
US5244530A (en) * 1992-02-18 1993-09-14 Philip Morris Incorporated Apparatus and method for laminating patches of a first web material onto a second web material
US5261996A (en) * 1991-01-25 1993-11-16 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Guiding system for a vacuum wheel applicator
US5314568A (en) * 1993-06-30 1994-05-24 Compensating Tension Controls, Inc. Splice assembly for paper web transport apparatus
US5380381A (en) * 1993-06-03 1995-01-10 B & H Manufacturing Company, Inc. Labeling machine with variable speed cutting head
US5383988A (en) * 1992-09-10 1995-01-24 Paragon Trade Brands, Inc. Modular apparatus for fabricating an absorbent article
US5407507A (en) * 1993-10-25 1995-04-18 The Procter & Gamble Company Method and apparatus for combining a tensioned elastic member with a moving substrate web
US5407513A (en) * 1993-10-14 1995-04-18 The Procter & Gamble Company Apparatus and process for cyclically accelerating and decelerating a strip of material
US5413651A (en) * 1993-03-23 1995-05-09 B&H Manufacturing Company Universal roll-fed label cutter
US5415716A (en) * 1992-03-19 1995-05-16 Paragon Trade Brands, Inc. Apparatus for synchronous in-line placement of absorbent panel component
US5549783A (en) * 1992-02-21 1996-08-27 Apax Corporation Apparatus and method for automatically applying adhesive-backed labels to moving articles
US5552007A (en) * 1995-01-31 1996-09-03 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Conveying continous web having cross-direction tension
US5556504A (en) * 1994-01-25 1996-09-17 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Apparatus for placing discrete parts transversely onto a moving web
US5562793A (en) * 1994-03-02 1996-10-08 Mcneil-Ppc Methods and apparatus for making multi-layer absorbent products
US5580411A (en) * 1995-02-10 1996-12-03 The Procter & Gamble Company Zero scrap method for manufacturing side panels for absorbent articles
US5582668A (en) * 1992-09-15 1996-12-10 Molnlycke Ab Method and arrangement for mounting elastic elements onto an elongated, moving material web
US5591297A (en) * 1994-11-17 1997-01-07 The Procter & Gamble Company Process and apparatus for making and incorporating acquisition/distribution inserts into absorbent cores
US5595335A (en) * 1994-04-25 1997-01-21 Bobst Sa Infeed station for converting a continuously moving web-like sheet into an intermittently fed web-like sheet for a subsequent processing station
US5597437A (en) * 1995-01-12 1997-01-28 Procter & Gamble Zero scrap absorbent core formation process
US5643396A (en) * 1995-01-31 1997-07-01 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Apparatus for fabricating garments
US5659538A (en) * 1995-03-27 1997-08-19 The Procter & Gambel Company Diaper registration control system
US5679195A (en) * 1995-09-01 1997-10-21 John O'dwyer Web splicing apparatus
US5693165A (en) 1993-11-04 1997-12-02 The Procter & Gamble Company Method and apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article
US5702551A (en) 1996-04-03 1997-12-30 The Procter & Gamble Company Method for assembling a multi-piece absorbent article
US5705013A (en) 1995-02-10 1998-01-06 The Procter & Gamble Company Method for manufacturing extensible side panels for absorbent articles
US5716478A (en) 1995-10-17 1998-02-10 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Apparatus and method for applying discrete parts onto a moving web

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE755472A (en) * 1969-08-29 1971-02-01 Lehmacher Hans BAG AND PROCESS AND DEVICES FOR ITS MANUFACTURE
US4995936A (en) 1989-07-27 1991-02-26 Robert Cohn Continuous web splicing machine
US6022443A (en) * 1994-01-25 2000-02-08 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method and apparatus for placing discrete parts onto a moving web
DE4424429A1 (en) 1994-07-12 1996-01-18 Bielomatik Leuze & Co Device for processing layer material
JPH09322909A (en) * 1996-06-06 1997-12-16 Toa Kiko Kk Multi-column type production facilities for sanitary product

Patent Citations (106)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US29365A (en) * 1860-07-31 Hoeseshoe-machine
US2254217A (en) * 1937-04-03 1941-09-02 Champlain Corp Method and means for applying patches to foundation material
US2958365A (en) * 1953-05-29 1960-11-01 Molins Machine Co Ltd Apparatus for feeding and laminating strip material in desired spaced relationship
US3146152A (en) * 1961-05-31 1964-08-25 G D Sas Di Enzo Seragnoli & Ar Machine for applying tear-strips upon a web of wrapping material
US3139243A (en) * 1962-10-11 1964-06-30 Compensation Tension Controls Tension compensating control device
US3516891A (en) * 1965-11-23 1970-06-23 Kimberly Clark Co Apparatus for applying film to blanks
US3537934A (en) * 1967-02-11 1970-11-03 Kronseder Hermann Label feeder with variable speed drive
US3582437A (en) * 1968-07-15 1971-06-01 Berkley Machine Co Apparatus for the high speed application of patches to envelope blanks
US3758367A (en) * 1968-11-19 1973-09-11 Moelnlycke Ab An article o a moving support surface in the form of a continuous web a sheet orapparatus for applying adhesive tape particulare self adhesive tape t
US3645463A (en) * 1969-10-06 1972-02-29 Champion Paper Products Co Web-splicing apparatus
US3746599A (en) * 1970-01-29 1973-07-17 Agfa Gevaert Nv Butt splicer for butt-joining a fresh web to a running web
US3728191A (en) * 1971-03-19 1973-04-17 Kimberly Clark Co Waistband tape application for disposable diapers
US3957570A (en) * 1971-10-13 1976-05-18 F. L. Smithe Machine Company, Inc. Machinery for patching envelopes and the like
US3879246A (en) * 1972-09-11 1975-04-22 Robert J Walker Laminating apparatus and method
US3835756A (en) * 1972-10-04 1974-09-17 Windmoeller & Hoelscher Bag-making machine
FR2203358A5 (en) 1972-10-13 1974-05-10 Baele Gangloff Ste Nouvelle
US3858819A (en) * 1972-10-24 1975-01-07 Butler Automatic Inc Web supply apparatus
USRE29365E (en) 1972-10-24 1977-08-23 Butler Automatic, Inc. Web supply apparatus
US3918655A (en) * 1973-11-08 1975-11-11 Champion Edison Inc Web-splicing apparatus
US3963557A (en) * 1974-05-28 1976-06-15 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Article transferring apparatus
US3886031A (en) * 1974-06-10 1975-05-27 Compensating Tension Controls Web lap splicer
US3904147A (en) * 1974-08-14 1975-09-09 Compensating Tension Controls Spring system assembly for tension compensating control device
US4010911A (en) * 1974-12-06 1977-03-08 Hauni-Werke Korber & Co., Kg Splicing apparatus for webs of metallic foil or the like
US3939032A (en) * 1974-12-27 1976-02-17 Compensating Tension Controls, Inc. Web butt splicer
US3995791A (en) * 1975-07-09 1976-12-07 Package Machinery Company Continuous web supply system
US4045275A (en) * 1975-09-04 1977-08-30 Stohlquist Roger H Machine for applying tapes to moving product
US4021293A (en) * 1975-11-07 1977-05-03 Stackpole Machinery Company High speed labeling machine
US4120739A (en) * 1975-11-19 1978-10-17 Agfa-Gevaert, N.V. Butt splicer for butt-joining a fresh web to a progressing web
US4083737A (en) * 1976-04-19 1978-04-11 Eastman Kodak Company Method and apparatus for attaching a strip of material transversely of a moving web
US4190483A (en) * 1977-03-15 1980-02-26 Compensating Tension Controls, Inc. Butt splicer
US4061527A (en) * 1977-04-12 1977-12-06 Moore Business Forms, Inc. Apparatus for applying patches to a continuous web
US4157934A (en) * 1977-07-18 1979-06-12 Compensating Tension Controls, Inc. Low tension lap slicer unit
US4190475A (en) * 1978-05-16 1980-02-26 Marquip, Inc. Paper roll web splicing
US4261782A (en) * 1980-02-08 1981-04-14 Riegel Textile Corporation Apparatus for attaching elastic strips during the manufacture of elastic leg disposable diapers
US4309236A (en) * 1980-02-08 1982-01-05 Riegel Textile Corporation Process for attaching elastic strips during the manufacture of elastic leg disposable diapers
US4262855A (en) * 1980-04-14 1981-04-21 Champion-Edison, Inc. Web-splicing apparatus
US4364787A (en) * 1980-08-22 1982-12-21 Curt G. Joa, Inc. Apparatus for applying elastic ribbon segments to diapers
US4374576A (en) * 1981-02-02 1983-02-22 Compensating Tension Controls, Inc. Semi-automatic roll winding machine
US4443291A (en) * 1981-04-15 1984-04-17 Reed Barrie T Flying splice apparatus
US4404058A (en) * 1981-04-17 1983-09-13 O.C.E.A. S.R.L. Rotary sector device turning at a variable angular speed suitable for the withdrawal and transferring of labels in automatic labelling machines
US4394898A (en) * 1981-04-23 1983-07-26 Paper Converting Machine Company Method and apparatus for providing balanced stacks of diapers
US4481053A (en) * 1981-09-30 1984-11-06 Rengo Co., Ltd. Method and apparatus for splicing web
US4371417A (en) * 1981-10-01 1983-02-01 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Differentially stretched elastic
US4525229A (en) * 1982-12-15 1985-06-25 Unicharm Corporation Method for attaching elastic band to sanitary articles
US4762582A (en) * 1983-03-25 1988-08-09 Boussac Saint Freres B.S.F. Continuous process for the manufacture of disposable diapers
US4455190A (en) * 1983-04-20 1984-06-19 Butler Automatic Inc. Web splicer
US4572043A (en) * 1983-10-12 1986-02-25 Fameccanica S.P.A. Method and apparatus for forming elastic elements under tension from a continuous elastic web, particularly for manufacturing sanitary products such as disposable diapers and the like
US4610751A (en) * 1983-10-21 1986-09-09 Paul Hartmann Aktiengesellschaft Apparatus for separating and applying of sections of strips on areas of a material web lying at a distance one behind the other
US4608115A (en) * 1984-04-23 1986-08-26 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Revolving transfer roll
US4645554A (en) * 1984-08-14 1987-02-24 Stork Brabant B.V. Apparatus and method for adhering successive webs by means of adhesive applied to a predetermined side thereof
US4578133A (en) * 1984-11-19 1986-03-25 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Method and apparatus for applying discrete strips to a web of material
US4617082A (en) * 1984-11-19 1986-10-14 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Method and apparatus for applying discrete strips to a web of material
US4726876A (en) * 1985-10-18 1988-02-23 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Apparatus for repositioning discrete articles
US4767487A (en) * 1985-10-18 1988-08-30 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Method for repositioning discrete articles
US4786346A (en) * 1985-10-28 1988-11-22 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Method for applying contoured elastic to a substrate
US4776911A (en) * 1986-06-30 1988-10-11 Toyo Eizai Kabushiki Kaisha Elasticized unit, apparatus for making the elasticized unit, garments incorporating the units, and method for making the garment
US4719855A (en) * 1986-08-01 1988-01-19 Sonoco Products Company Computer controlled web feed method, apparatus and system for web treatment apparatus such as rotary die cutter
US4801342A (en) * 1986-09-12 1989-01-31 Martin Automatic Inc. Method and apparatus for forming a butt splice
US4923546A (en) * 1986-09-12 1990-05-08 Martin Automatic Inc. Method and apparatus for forming a butt splice
US4995939A (en) * 1987-05-04 1991-02-26 Magyar Tudomanyos Akademia Muszaki Fizikai Kutato Intezete Method and apparatus for determining the layer thickness of semiconductor layer structures
US5091039A (en) * 1987-08-18 1992-02-25 Uni-Charm Corporation Method and apparatus for applying elastic band onto moving web
US4769098A (en) * 1987-09-10 1988-09-06 Martin Automatic, Inc. Apparatus and method for forming a butt splice
US4795510A (en) * 1987-09-11 1989-01-03 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Process for applying reinforcing material to a diaper cover material
US4776920A (en) * 1988-03-14 1988-10-11 Compensating Tension Controls, Inc. Running web splicing apparatus
US4880178A (en) * 1988-08-04 1989-11-14 Mobil Oil Corporation Roll unwind butt splicer
US4987940A (en) * 1988-08-19 1991-01-29 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Cross web layer application device
US5127981A (en) * 1988-08-19 1992-07-07 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Cross web layer application device
US5021111A (en) * 1988-08-31 1991-06-04 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Apparatus and method for applying heat-sensitive adhesive tape to a web moving at high speed
US5102485A (en) * 1989-02-01 1992-04-07 International Paper Company Apparatus for continuous feeding and synchronized application of fitments to carton blanks and related method
US5122216A (en) * 1989-02-15 1992-06-16 Goodwin Graphics, Inc. Multi-ply mailer form and method of manufacture therefor
US5041073A (en) * 1989-05-10 1991-08-20 501 Maschinenfabrik Alfred Schmermund GmbH & Co. Apparatus for cutting off and applying tear-off strips to a web of packaging material
US5131593A (en) * 1989-09-08 1992-07-21 Maschinenfabrik Alfred Schmermund Gmbh & Co. Splicing technique and apparatus
US5030311A (en) * 1989-10-02 1991-07-09 Eastman Kodak Company Method and apparatus for taping lead and tail ends of web during winding onto a core
US5066346A (en) * 1990-01-26 1991-11-19 Eastman Kodak Company Apparatus and method for splicing webs of indeterminate length
US5102486A (en) * 1991-01-09 1992-04-07 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Loop applying assembly
US5261996A (en) * 1991-01-25 1993-11-16 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Guiding system for a vacuum wheel applicator
US5286543A (en) * 1992-02-07 1994-02-15 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Method and apparatus for controlling the cutting and placement of components on a moving substrate, and article made therewith
US5235515A (en) * 1992-02-07 1993-08-10 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Method and apparatus for controlling the cutting and placement of components on a moving substrate
US5200020A (en) * 1992-02-18 1993-04-06 Philip Morris Incorporated Apparatus and method for laminating patches of a first web material onto a second web material
US5244530A (en) * 1992-02-18 1993-09-14 Philip Morris Incorporated Apparatus and method for laminating patches of a first web material onto a second web material
US5549783A (en) * 1992-02-21 1996-08-27 Apax Corporation Apparatus and method for automatically applying adhesive-backed labels to moving articles
US5415716A (en) * 1992-03-19 1995-05-16 Paragon Trade Brands, Inc. Apparatus for synchronous in-line placement of absorbent panel component
US5492591A (en) * 1992-09-10 1996-02-20 Paragon Trade Brands, Inc. Modular apparatus for fabricating an absorbent article
US5383988A (en) * 1992-09-10 1995-01-24 Paragon Trade Brands, Inc. Modular apparatus for fabricating an absorbent article
US5582668A (en) * 1992-09-15 1996-12-10 Molnlycke Ab Method and arrangement for mounting elastic elements onto an elongated, moving material web
US5413651A (en) * 1993-03-23 1995-05-09 B&H Manufacturing Company Universal roll-fed label cutter
US5380381A (en) * 1993-06-03 1995-01-10 B & H Manufacturing Company, Inc. Labeling machine with variable speed cutting head
US5314568A (en) * 1993-06-30 1994-05-24 Compensating Tension Controls, Inc. Splice assembly for paper web transport apparatus
US5407513A (en) * 1993-10-14 1995-04-18 The Procter & Gamble Company Apparatus and process for cyclically accelerating and decelerating a strip of material
US5407507A (en) * 1993-10-25 1995-04-18 The Procter & Gamble Company Method and apparatus for combining a tensioned elastic member with a moving substrate web
US5693165A (en) 1993-11-04 1997-12-02 The Procter & Gamble Company Method and apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article
US5556504A (en) * 1994-01-25 1996-09-17 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Apparatus for placing discrete parts transversely onto a moving web
US5562793A (en) * 1994-03-02 1996-10-08 Mcneil-Ppc Methods and apparatus for making multi-layer absorbent products
US5595335A (en) * 1994-04-25 1997-01-21 Bobst Sa Infeed station for converting a continuously moving web-like sheet into an intermittently fed web-like sheet for a subsequent processing station
US5591297A (en) * 1994-11-17 1997-01-07 The Procter & Gamble Company Process and apparatus for making and incorporating acquisition/distribution inserts into absorbent cores
US5695846A (en) 1995-01-12 1997-12-09 The Procter & Gamble Company Zero scrap absorbent core formation process and products derived from web-based absorbent materials
US5597437A (en) * 1995-01-12 1997-01-28 Procter & Gamble Zero scrap absorbent core formation process
US5643396A (en) * 1995-01-31 1997-07-01 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Apparatus for fabricating garments
US5660657A (en) * 1995-01-31 1997-08-26 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Composite method for fabricating garments
US5552007A (en) * 1995-01-31 1996-09-03 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Conveying continous web having cross-direction tension
US5580411A (en) * 1995-02-10 1996-12-03 The Procter & Gamble Company Zero scrap method for manufacturing side panels for absorbent articles
US5705013A (en) 1995-02-10 1998-01-06 The Procter & Gamble Company Method for manufacturing extensible side panels for absorbent articles
US5659538A (en) * 1995-03-27 1997-08-19 The Procter & Gambel Company Diaper registration control system
US5679195A (en) * 1995-09-01 1997-10-21 John O'dwyer Web splicing apparatus
US5716478A (en) 1995-10-17 1998-02-10 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Apparatus and method for applying discrete parts onto a moving web
US5702551A (en) 1996-04-03 1997-12-30 The Procter & Gamble Company Method for assembling a multi-piece absorbent article

Cited By (117)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6562192B1 (en) 1998-10-02 2003-05-13 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent articles with absorbent free-flowing particles and methods for producing the same
US6695827B2 (en) 1998-10-02 2004-02-24 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent article having good body fit under dynamic conditions
US6503233B1 (en) 1998-10-02 2003-01-07 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent article having good body fit under dynamic conditions
US6667424B1 (en) 1998-10-02 2003-12-23 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent articles with nits and free-flowing particles
US6814217B2 (en) * 2000-02-02 2004-11-09 The Procter And Gamble Company Method and apparatus utilizing servo motors for placing parts onto a moving web
US6524423B1 (en) * 2000-03-07 2003-02-25 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method of transferring a discrete portion of a first web onto a second web
US20030111184A1 (en) * 2000-03-07 2003-06-19 Hilt Ronald Alex Apparatus for transferring a discrete portion of first web onto a second web
US6550517B1 (en) 2000-03-07 2003-04-22 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Apparatus for transferring a discrete portion of a first web onto a second web
US6766843B2 (en) * 2000-03-07 2004-07-27 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Apparatus for transferring a discrete portion of first web onto a second web
US6705453B2 (en) * 2000-07-21 2004-03-16 The Procter & Gamble Company Method and apparatus utilizing servo motors for placing parts onto a moving web
US6450321B1 (en) * 2000-07-21 2002-09-17 The Procter & Gamble Company Method and apparatus utilizing servo motors for placing parts onto a moving web
US20020023723A1 (en) * 2000-07-21 2002-02-28 Blumenthal Jeffrey H. Method and apparatus utilizing servo motors for placing parts onto a moving web
US6585846B1 (en) * 2000-11-22 2003-07-01 3M Innovative Properties Company Rotary converting apparatus and method for laminated products and packaging
US7017820B1 (en) * 2001-02-08 2006-03-28 James Brunner Machine and process for manufacturing a label with a security element
EP1247508A3 (en) * 2001-04-03 2003-11-26 McNEIL-PPC, INC. Discreet absorbent article
EP1252873A3 (en) * 2001-04-03 2003-11-26 McNEIL-PPC, INC. Discreet absorbent article
US6984770B2 (en) 2001-04-03 2006-01-10 Graeme Iii Robert J Discrete absorbent article
US6561248B2 (en) * 2001-04-06 2003-05-13 Japan Servo Co., Ltd. Lamination system
CN1303956C (en) * 2001-09-28 2007-03-14 强生株式会社 Device for cutting bandage and gluing article to adhesive tape
US6820671B2 (en) 2001-10-05 2004-11-23 Paragon Trade Brands, Inc. Apparatus and method for assembling absorbent garments
US20030066609A1 (en) * 2001-10-05 2003-04-10 Calvert Mickey W. Apparatus and method for assembling absorbent garments
US6830172B2 (en) 2001-10-26 2004-12-14 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Apparatus and method for feeding string
US6645330B2 (en) 2002-01-03 2003-11-11 Paragon Trade Brands, Inc. Method of making disposable absorbent article having graphics using ultrasonic thermal imaging
US6763749B2 (en) 2002-01-15 2004-07-20 The Procter & Gamble Company Web speed metering apparatus and method
WO2003068122A1 (en) * 2002-02-14 2003-08-21 Paragon Trade Brands, Inc. Dry formed composite with cut and place layers
US20030153891A1 (en) * 2002-02-14 2003-08-14 Molee Kenneth John Multifunctional disposal tape on an absorbent article
US20030150551A1 (en) * 2002-02-14 2003-08-14 Andrew Baker Dry formed composite with cut and place layers
US6641695B2 (en) 2002-02-14 2003-11-04 Paragon Trade Brands, Inc. Dry formed composite with cut and place layers
US6869386B2 (en) 2002-06-26 2005-03-22 The Procter & Gamble Company Method for manufacturing discrete articles from a material web using synchronized servo-actuated operational units
US20040007318A1 (en) * 2002-07-15 2004-01-15 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Apparatus and method for cutting and placing limp pieces of material
US6915829B2 (en) 2002-07-15 2005-07-12 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Apparatus and method for cutting and placing limp pieces of material
US20040030432A1 (en) * 2002-08-07 2004-02-12 Popp Robert L. Autosetpoint registration control system and method associated with a web converting manufacturing process
US6904330B2 (en) 2002-08-07 2005-06-07 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Manufacturing information and troubleshooting system and method
US20040028268A1 (en) * 2002-08-07 2004-02-12 Popp Robert L. Web guiding system and method
US6820022B2 (en) 2002-08-07 2004-11-16 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. System and method for identifying and exploiting quality information associated with a web converting manufacturing process
US7123981B2 (en) 2002-08-07 2006-10-17 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc Autosetpoint registration control system and method associated with a web converting manufacturing process
US6829516B2 (en) 2002-08-07 2004-12-07 Kimberly-Clark Worlwide, Inc. Combined information exchange systems and methods
US7082347B2 (en) 2002-08-07 2006-07-25 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Autosetpoint registration control system and method associated with a web converting manufacturing process
US6845278B2 (en) 2002-08-07 2005-01-18 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Product attribute data mining in connection with a web converting manufacturing process
US7162319B2 (en) 2002-08-07 2007-01-09 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Manufacturing information and troubleshooting system and method
US6801828B2 (en) 2002-08-07 2004-10-05 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Web guiding system and method
US7130709B2 (en) 2002-08-07 2006-10-31 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Manufacturing information and alarming system and method
US7171283B2 (en) 2002-08-07 2007-01-30 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Web guiding system and method
US20040030514A1 (en) * 2002-08-07 2004-02-12 Popp Robert L. System and method for identifying and exploiting quality information associated with a web converting manufacturing process
US7130710B2 (en) 2002-08-07 2006-10-31 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. System and method for tracking and exploiting per station information from a multiple repeat manufacturing device
US20040083018A1 (en) * 2002-08-07 2004-04-29 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Autosetpoint registration control system and method associated with a web converting manufacturing process
US20050236765A1 (en) * 2002-08-30 2005-10-27 Pemeas Gmbh Method and apparatus for transferring thin films from a source position to a target position
US7601388B2 (en) * 2002-08-30 2009-10-13 Basf Fuel Cell Gmbh Method and apparatus for transferring thin films from a source position to a target position
US7758485B2 (en) 2002-10-16 2010-07-20 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Pad folding system and method
US20040074053A1 (en) * 2002-10-16 2004-04-22 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Apparatus and method for forming a layer of blended fibers into a continuous web
US7082645B2 (en) 2002-10-16 2006-08-01 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Fiber blending apparatus and method
US6971981B2 (en) 2002-10-16 2005-12-06 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method and apparatus for making interlabial pads
US6915621B2 (en) 2002-10-16 2005-07-12 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method and apparatus for wrapping pads
US20040074052A1 (en) * 2002-10-16 2004-04-22 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Fiber blending apparatus and method
US20040110618A1 (en) * 2002-10-16 2004-06-10 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method and apparatus for making pads
US20040077474A1 (en) * 2002-10-16 2004-04-22 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method and apparatus for wrapping pads
US8030535B2 (en) * 2002-12-18 2011-10-04 The Procter & Gamble Company Sanitary napkin for clean body benefit
US20040127875A1 (en) * 2002-12-18 2004-07-01 The Procter & Gamble Company Sanitary napkin for clean body benefit
US8704036B2 (en) 2002-12-18 2014-04-22 The Procter And Gamble Company Sanitary napkin for clean body benefit
US10716717B2 (en) 2002-12-18 2020-07-21 The Procter & Gamble Company Sanitary napkin for clean body benefit
US20060069367A1 (en) * 2004-09-29 2006-03-30 Andrew Waksmundzki Absorbent core having two or more types of superabsorbent
US20080060751A1 (en) * 2006-09-07 2008-03-13 Evan Arrindell Island label apparatus and method
ITBO20090138A1 (en) * 2009-03-09 2010-09-10 Gdm Spa DEVICE AND METHOD FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ABSORBENT PADDING FOR INTIMATE HYGIENIC ITEMS AND PLANT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INTIMATE HYGIENIC ITEMS INCLUDING THE DEVICE.
KR20110127648A (en) * 2009-03-09 2011-11-25 쥐디엠 에스.피.에이. A device and a method for making absorbent pads used in personal sanitary items
CN102333509A (en) * 2009-03-09 2012-01-25 Gdm股份公司 A device and a method for making absorbent pads used in personal sanitary items
US9084697B2 (en) 2009-03-09 2015-07-21 Gdm S.P.A. Device and a method for making absorbent pads used in personal sanitary items
WO2010103457A1 (en) * 2009-03-09 2010-09-16 Gdm S.P.A. A device and a method for making absorbent pads used in personal sanitary items
CN102333509B (en) * 2009-03-09 2014-10-15 Gdm股份公司 A device and a method for making absorbent pads used in personal sanitary items
US8163118B2 (en) 2009-06-21 2012-04-24 Jere F. Irwin Thermoformable web splicer and method
US20100319837A1 (en) * 2009-06-21 2010-12-23 Irwin Jere F Thermoformable Web Splicer and Method
US8770250B2 (en) 2009-06-21 2014-07-08 Jere F. Irwin Thermoformable web joining apparatus
US8100253B2 (en) 2009-06-30 2012-01-24 The Procter & Gamble Company Methods and apparatuses for transferring discrete articles between carriers
US9066837B2 (en) 2009-10-30 2015-06-30 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent article with annular absorbent member
CN103079507A (en) * 2010-08-30 2013-05-01 尤妮佳股份有限公司 Method for manufacturing composite for continuous sheet used in absorbent articles, manufacturing apparatus, and method for manufacturing absorbent article
CN103079507B (en) * 2010-08-30 2016-01-20 尤妮佳股份有限公司 The manufacture method of the manufacture method of the complex of the serialgram relevant with absorbent commodity, manufacturing installation and absorbent commodity
US9237970B2 (en) 2010-08-30 2016-01-19 Uni-Charm Corporation Manufacturing method and apparatus for composite body of continuous sheet associated with absorbent article and manufacturing method for absorbent article
WO2013057600A1 (en) * 2011-10-19 2013-04-25 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method of separating a discrete portion from a web
US9162432B2 (en) 2011-10-19 2015-10-20 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method of separating a discrete portion from a web
CN103957859B (en) * 2011-10-19 2016-08-17 金伯利-克拉克环球有限公司 For the method isolating discrete parts from fibre web
CN103957859A (en) * 2011-10-19 2014-07-30 金伯利-克拉克环球有限公司 Method of separating a discrete portion from a web
EP2626050B1 (en) * 2012-01-16 2016-04-13 Bikoma GmbH Spezialmaschinen Method and device for producing a laminate and hygiene product
US9227794B2 (en) 2012-04-16 2016-01-05 The Procter & Gamble Company Methods for transferring discrete articles
US8720666B2 (en) 2012-04-16 2014-05-13 The Procter & Gamble Company Apparatuses for transferring discrete articles
US8820513B2 (en) 2012-04-16 2014-09-02 The Procter & Gamble Company Methods for transferring discrete articles
US8833542B2 (en) 2012-04-16 2014-09-16 The Procter & Gamble Company Fluid systems and methods for transferring discrete articles
US9266684B2 (en) 2012-04-16 2016-02-23 The Procter & Gamble Company Fluid systems and methods for transferring discrete articles
US9221621B2 (en) 2012-04-16 2015-12-29 The Procter & Gamble Company Apparatuses for transferring discrete articles
US9999551B2 (en) 2012-04-16 2018-06-19 The Procter & Gamble Company Methods for transferring discrete articles
US9283121B1 (en) 2012-04-16 2016-03-15 The Procter & Gamble Company Apparatuses for transferring discrete articles
US8607959B2 (en) 2012-04-16 2013-12-17 The Procter & Gamble Company Rotational assemblies and methods for transferring discrete articles
US9603751B2 (en) 2012-04-16 2017-03-28 The Procter & Gamble Company Methods for transferring discrete articles
US8944235B2 (en) 2012-04-16 2015-02-03 The Procter & Gamble Company Rotational assemblies for transferring discrete articles
US9649233B2 (en) 2012-04-25 2017-05-16 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent personal care articles having longitudinally oriented layers in discrete portions
US20130296148A1 (en) * 2012-05-01 2013-11-07 The Procter & Gamble Company Methods and Apparatuses for Rejecting Defective Absorbent Articles from a Converting Line
US20130296149A1 (en) * 2012-05-01 2013-11-07 The Procter & Gamble Company Methods and Apparatuses for Transferring Absorbent Articles and Rejecting Defective Absorbent Articles
US9597235B2 (en) * 2012-05-01 2017-03-21 The Procter & Gamble Company Methods and apparatuses for rejecting defective absorbent articles from a converting line
US9585797B2 (en) * 2012-05-01 2017-03-07 The Procter & Gamble Company Methods and apparatuses for transferring absorbent articles and rejecting defective absorbent articles
US9949879B2 (en) * 2012-05-18 2018-04-24 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method for attaching discrete web segments
US20170231829A1 (en) * 2012-05-18 2017-08-17 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method for attaching discrete web segments
US20130305511A1 (en) * 2012-05-18 2013-11-21 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Apparatus and method for attaching discrete web segments
US9668923B2 (en) * 2012-05-18 2017-06-06 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Apparatus for attaching discrete web segments
US9861534B2 (en) 2012-05-24 2018-01-09 The Procter & Gamble Company System and method for manufacturing using a virtual frame of reference
US8914140B2 (en) 2012-05-24 2014-12-16 The Procter & Gamble Company System and method for manufacturing using a virtual frame of reference
US20140000397A1 (en) * 2012-06-29 2014-01-02 Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. Constant to variable gear pitch for temperature door rotation
US9266314B2 (en) 2012-10-23 2016-02-23 The Procter & Gamble Company Carrier members or transfer surfaces having a resilient member
US10213347B2 (en) 2012-12-04 2019-02-26 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent article with an apertured multi-layered topsheet
US9463942B2 (en) 2013-09-24 2016-10-11 The Procter & Gamble Company Apparatus for positioning an advancing web
US9844476B2 (en) 2014-03-18 2017-12-19 The Procter & Gamble Company Sanitary napkin for clean body benefit
US9428343B2 (en) 2015-01-02 2016-08-30 The Procter & Gamble Company Apparatuses for transferring articles and methods of making the same
US9682830B2 (en) 2015-01-02 2017-06-20 The Procter & Gamble Company Apparatuses for transferring articles and methods of making the same
US9475654B2 (en) 2015-01-02 2016-10-25 The Procter & Gamble Company Apparatuses for transferring articles and methods of making the same
US9511951B1 (en) 2015-06-23 2016-12-06 The Procter & Gamble Company Methods for transferring discrete articles
US9511952B1 (en) 2015-06-23 2016-12-06 The Procter & Gamble Company Methods for transferring discrete articles
US20170165860A1 (en) * 2015-12-14 2017-06-15 Harro Hoefliger Verpackungsmaschinen Gmbh Device for releasing sections from a material web
US20190232512A1 (en) * 2016-06-21 2019-08-01 3M Innovative Properties Company Conversion and application of material strips
US10953560B2 (en) * 2016-06-21 2021-03-23 3M Innovative Properties Company Conversion and application of material strips
CN113164653A (en) * 2019-03-07 2021-07-23 特利亚生物技术有限公司 Method for preparing tissue for regeneration of biocompatible tissue

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP4243429B2 (en) 2009-03-25
US6520236B1 (en) 2003-02-18
AR018433A1 (en) 2001-11-14
DE69916850D1 (en) 2004-06-03
KR20010043943A (en) 2001-05-25
DE69916850T2 (en) 2004-09-02
US6527902B1 (en) 2003-03-04
CA2330679C (en) 2008-01-15
EP1102716A2 (en) 2001-05-30
AU4200399A (en) 1999-12-20
CO4880806A1 (en) 2000-01-31
WO1999062801A2 (en) 1999-12-09
KR100522990B1 (en) 2005-10-24
WO1999062801A3 (en) 2000-02-10
JP2002516802A (en) 2002-06-11
CA2330679A1 (en) 1999-12-09
EP1102716B1 (en) 2004-04-28

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6165306A (en) Process and apparatus for cutting of discrete components of a multi-component workpiece and depositing them with registration on a moving web of material
US6074333A (en) Machine for cutting discrete components of a multi-component workpiece and depositing them with registration on a moving web of material
US6059710A (en) Process for cutting of discrete components of a multi-component workpiece and depositing them with registration on a moving web of material
EP0743843B1 (en) Method and apparatus for placing discrete parts onto a moving web
US5556504A (en) Apparatus for placing discrete parts transversely onto a moving web
EP0869755B1 (en) Apparatus and method for applying discrete parts onto a moving web
US5110386A (en) Method of forming parts of products to be worn
US6149755A (en) Machine and process for placing discrete components on a moving web with velocity matched placement and integral bonding
US20170129120A1 (en) Single transfer insert placement method and apparatus with cross-direction insert placement control
US5396978A (en) Apparatus for attaching elastic at an angle
EP0304044A1 (en) Apparatus for applying elastic band onto moving web
JP6513833B2 (en) Method for transporting separate items
US20160376109A1 (en) Methods for transferring discrete articles
DE3403620A1 (en) DEVICE FOR PRODUCING SLEEVES
MXPA00011121A (en) Process and apparatus for cutting of discrete components of a multi-component workpiece and depositing them with registration on a moving web of material
MXPA01006165A (en) Process for cutting and placing discrete components in registry onto a moving web of material
CA1084826A (en) Apparatus for producing paper cylinders for nursing seedlings
MXPA01006261A (en) Machine for cutting and placing discrete components in registry onto a moving web of material

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC., WISCONSIN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:RAJALA, GREGORY J.;REEL/FRAME:009278/0173

Effective date: 19980608

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 8

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 12

AS Assignment

Owner name: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC., WISCONSIN

Free format text: NAME CHANGE;ASSIGNOR:KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.;REEL/FRAME:034880/0742

Effective date: 20150101